Savio Nears Return as Maddison Remains Doubtful for Spurs

Tottenham’s injury list has finally shrunk to single figures, with Roberto De Zerbi potentially missing just two or three players for Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest. Savio should return after sitting out the Newcastle defeat, though James Maddison’s availability remains genuinely uncertain rather than confirmed.

It’s a small mercy after a start to the season that has given Spurs fans little else to smile about. Losses to Brentford (3-0) and Newcastle United (2-0) have left De Zerbi needing every fit body he can get.

Savio back, Maddison still a question mark

Savio missed out against Newcastle with what De Zerbi described as muscle fatigue picked up in training, adding that the medical staff didn’t want to take the risk. The Brazilian is expected to be back in contention for Forest.

Maddison’s shoulder injury from the Brentford game is a different story. De Zerbi suggested the midfielder could have featured against Newcastle despite reports of a two-week absence, but whether he’s actually ready for Forest is still unclear – worth watching rather than banking on.

Mohammed Kudus made his long-awaited return off the bench against Newcastle, getting 22 minutes into his legs, while Dejan Kulusevski is back in first-team training after his own lengthy spell out. Neither should be treated as certainties for the Forest XI just yet.

The long-term absentees

Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain the club’s only genuine long-term casualties. Odobert is expected back in the coming months, with Simons pencilled in for early next year.

Forest, for context, sit 15th with a single point from their opening two matches. Not exactly a daunting scalp on paper, but Spurs have made a habit of finding ways to complicate the straightforward this season.