Roberto De Zerbi has delivered a positive update on James Maddison’s fitness ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.There is no denying that James Maddison’s return to fitness has proven to be a huge boost for Tottenham Hotspur.After spending over 500 days sidelined, the midfielder returned to the starting XI for the first time in a Premier League match during Spurs’ clash against Coventry City. Maddison was superb in that outing, scoring a tremendous goal into the top corner to set Tottenham on their way to their first victory of the season.Following that sensational return, the Englishman once again featured for Tottenham in their clash against Chelsea, but it was far from the outing he would have wanted as he was forced off in the 51st minute.He appeared to pick up a groin injury, but Roberto De Zerbi was adamant after the match that it was nothing serious.He said: “I think it is not a very important problem. We need to do the medical check tomorrow, after tomorrow, I do not know. I hope it is not a big problem because he is a special player for us. We need him.”However, given the attacking midfielder’s injury record, it is safe to say many Tottenham fans had been anxiously awaiting an update on Maddison’s fitness.Injured Tottenham playerInjuryPotential ReturnWilson OdobertKneeNovember 2026Xavi SimonsKnee2027Mykhailo MudrykAnkleNovember 2026SavioMuscularUnknownLucas BergvallKneeUnknownDestiny UdogieKneeOctober 31stJames MaddisonGroinOctober 31stTosin AdarabioyoKnockUnknownCredit: @thefrederikkejensen / InstagramRoberto De Zerbi provides James Maddison fitness update for TottenhamDe Zerbi has now provided a positive update on the Tottenham number 10, revealing that he is available for this weekend’s encounter with Crystal Palace.He said, as relayed by football.london: “James is available. This week he didn’t work like the other players, but for tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us. A special player because of the character and he has unique characteristics – different than everyone. Maybe just Xavi Simons is very close with him, but he is injured, or Deki Kulusevski can play as a 10, similar to James.“He special for the characteristics, for the experience, for the personality, but we can play with Marmoush as a 10 or with Conor Gallagher as a 10. We played already with Mateus Fernandes, even he is better as a playmaker, but it is not important I think the characteristics of the players, the most important is to put the players in the right position for them.”He added: “For James or the players who are coming from a long injury, they have to work more than the other players, but he has already four or five weeks he is working very hard and consistently.“So, I think it’s not a problem if he loses two days (training), but then we have to analyse if we take risk or not. If we take risk like Pedro Porro (against Aston Villa) or (Dejan) Kulusevski.“We are lucky to have a big squad and it’s important to not take risk with new injuries.”Destiny Udogie also back in contention for SpursMaddison‘s availability does not necessarily mean he will start, with De Zerbi unlikely to risk the midfielder given his recent injury concerns. Should the Tottenham boss decide against including him from the outset against Palace, he still has several options at his disposal.Spurs Web has already highlighted three alternative options available to the Tottenham boss should he need to fill the void left by the English playmaker.Dejan Kulusevski, Conor Gallagher and Omar Marmoush all stand as options behind the striker that De Zerbi could turn to if Maddison does not start.Elsewhere, there was another fitness boost, with De Zerbi confirming that Destiny Udogie, who has been nursing a knee problem, is back in contention.The Tottenham boss said: “He is available. He can work consistently during the week. After Man United he didn’t work with us for a long time. We have great medical staff and we are taking the right decision, for the right players in the right moment.”READ MORE: ‘I don’t think I can play anymore’ – Dejan Kulusevski opens up on Tottenham injury nightmareThe post James Maddison fitness update: De Zerbi doesn’t mind that he missed Tottenham training appeared first on Spurs Web.