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James Maddison is aiming to be back in action for Tottenham before the end of this season but will not rush his recovery from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Spurs midfielder suffered the injury to his right knee late on in the friendly against Newcastle in South Korea on August 3, which was Son Heung-min's farewell match for the club. It came after Maddison had only recently returned having missed the Europa League final because of a medial ligament injury in the same knee.
The 28-year-old released a YouTube video on Friday evening showing the first three weeks of his recovery and on his first visit back to Hotspur Way after his operation, he spoke to his team-mates. Maddison thanked both Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero for sitting with him while he was emotional inside the stadium after the game in Korea.
Spurs captain Romero simply said: "We're family." Bentancur gave Maddison a boost by explaining that his recovery was longer and he needed nine months out because the Uruguayan also damaged the meniscus in his knee, which the England international did not.
When speaking to club doctors, Maddison admitted that he is going to make sure that he is completely ready before coming back, but is hoping to return eight months after the injury which would see him back in April for the Premier League season's final couple of months.
"I've already looked [at the average time out], if it's eight months, six months isn't a question. The stage I'm at now, this needs to be right now," he said. "I'm 28, I'm going to be 29 when I return, I'm in my prime, really. These are my peak years ahead of me. I need to come back and I need to stay fit. So actually I'm not going to be pushing to say 'oh why are you taking so long', sort of thing.
"But if it gets to eight months and we're flying or whatever, if I'm in the right frame, that will allow me to play this season won't it, towards the end."
There were plenty of other interactions between Maddison and his team-mates including one with his fellow midfielder Pape Matar Sarr at the training ground.
"You're my favourite player in the group at the minute. You look sharp," said Maddison. "You look good. It makes me feel better when you play like you did the other night [against PSG]. I think you can get 15 goals this season. I want you to. Promise. 15 goals and I'll get you a gift."
Sarr replied: "Yeah I'll do it for you."
There were also early signs of Dominic Solanke's ankle problem when early in the season the striker said about his ankle when asked by Maddison how it was: "As good as it can be."
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