JAMES MADDISON was spotted on crutches after manager Thomas Frank issued a worrying update on his latest knee injury.
The midfielder was carried off on a stretcher as Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in Seoul – where Son Heung-Min bid farewell to fans.
Maddison sustained the problem in a routine challenge with Anthony Elanga in the 83rd minute.
The 28-year-old instantly knew something was wrong as he put his hands on his head, waved to the bench and then crumpled in a heap, before being carted away.
Maddison had only just returned from a knee ligament problem sustained in May and was seen on crutches leaving the stadium in South Korea.
Manager Frank revealed: “We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before.
“I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That’s what we got today.
“It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players.
“First we had the walkaround and then the team-mates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same.
“I just said a few things but not much because it’s about Sonny and then he said a few things. It was beautiful.”
The injury overshadowed what looks to be Son’s final game as a Tottenham player – after he announced plans to leave the club.
Son – linked with a move to MLS with Los Angeles FC – has become a legend of the North London side following his ten-year stay.
His press conference revelation meant the friendly against Eddie Howe’s Alexander Isak-less Toon was always going to be more about a Son love-in than the action on the pitch.
Actor Park Seo-Joon, star of Oscar-winning Parasite and a close pal of Son, gave a touching tribute to his mate before kick-off from the centre circle, claiming the people of South Korea could not sleep after Son’s exit-plan announcement.
Chairman Daniel Levy shook Son’s hand as the two teams lined up, along with all the players, while Magpies star Anthony Gordon gave the Spurs skipper a big hug.
A trumpet in the crowd played the tune ‘Nice one Sonny’ song, to which the 66,000 fans added the words, while ‘Hey Jude’ was belted out over the loudspeaker, allowing fans to change the eponymous words to ‘Sonny’.
Brennan Johnson even did Son’s trademark camera-shot celebration after giving Spurs an early lead, much to the delight of his outgoing team-mate.
The hope had been that Son could cap the occasion with a goal, but unfortunately, he did not have any chances to make it happen, as Harvey Barnes’ banger on 38 minutes sealed a draw.
Son’s number was up in the 64th minute and the players on both sides formed an impromptu guard of honour as he came off.
The 33-year-old, who capped ten years at the club in May by finally winning a trophy with the Europa League triumph, hugged everyone on the Spurs bench as he came off.
Frank revealed: “I think it’s very likely Sonny’s last game because it’s very close.”
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