Roberto De Zerbi has new plan for James Maddison at Tottenham

Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbi are still planning on James Maddison having a key role in N17, sources have told Football Insider.

The English attacking midfielder has had to spend plenty of time on the sidelines watching on at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But as he slowly comes back to full fitness, the 29-year-old will be looking to impact games rather than simply looking on.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Maddison is still being counted on by Tottenham.

Despite his injury setbacks, Maddison remains a player who can offer creativity and an attacking threat when he is back to his best.

And supporters will be keen to hear what Tottenham are now hoping with the midfielder.

Tottenham still counting on James Maddison to prove his worth under Roberto De Zerbi

Maddison has had to be counted on in a substitute capacity this season, a situation no player wants to be in.

The Tottenham ace, though, will understand why that is the case as he continues to build sharpness.

Spurs' number 10 has yet to start a match, and there have been some questions asked about his future.

Former Everton scout Keith Wyness told Football Insider Tottenham could consider selling Maddison due to this injury history.

However, it seems Spurs are still planning for Maddison to fully return and prove he is one of the best around.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I shared: "I don’t think it’ll have any impact on his future; he’s under contract until 2028.

"As I said, Spurs will be hoping that he can regain that match sharpness and start proving his worth again in that team because a fit and firing James Madison still has a lot to offer Tottenham.

"His touch and invention is a level above his teammates, even in his sub appearances you can see that."

Could Maddison make first start of the season?

De Zerbi is rightfully being careful with Maddison, who has faced plenty of injury issues.

Coming back from an ACL injury is never straightforward, and a setback in the summer saw him miss most of pre-season.

Maddison now has to do his pre-season on the training ground, and in his limited cameos.

With a Premier League fixture coming up against Maddison's boyhood club, where he started his football career on the horizon, it would be poetic.

However, ahead of facing Coventry City, the Italian will undoubtedly put sentiment aside and choose the best starting XI to win the game.

Whether Maddison is part of that, and is ready to return to the fold, is another question needing to be answered.

But you would likely veer on the side of no.