Roy Keane rips into James Maddison and questions when he will 'step up' for Tottenham - as he reveals the big 'problem' with the injured midfielder

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Roy Keane has questioned when James Maddison will 'step up' for Tottenham amid their struggles this year.

Ange Postecoglou's side have endured a nightmare campaign - derailed by injuries to their squad - which has left them 14th in the Premier League table.

Maddison is among the current absentees for Tottenham, after picking up a calf strain last month, with many fans hoping he'll soon return to the Spurs line-up.

However, speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Roy Keane suggested Maddison was not a big miss for Postecoglou's side.

Keane said: 'Which players [are we] talking about coming back that can help Spurs? I agree with [Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario] – that's two.

'[Destiny] Udogie is not bad. We saw James Maddison at Tamworth, he was taken off! Tamworth are non-league. People say, "Maddison's the man", but when is he going to step up to the plate?

'He got relegated with Leicester [City] and [looks like] with Spurs. Maddison isn't bad but if you think he's going to come back and get Spurs top six, you're in cuckoo land.

'He's a talented player, but if you're a player in the Spurs dressing room and he's back in the squad, you wouldn't be looking and going, "James is back today – we're going to be fine!".'

In the league, Maddison has made 22 appearances - starting just 15 of those - but still boasts an impressive output of eight goals and four assists for the north London side.

His most impressive display came during Spurs' visit to Manchester City in November - where he scored two of his side's four goals at the Etihad.

Keane continued: 'I saw him, James Maddison, at [Manchester] City when they won that game 4-0 and I thought he blended the quality of his attacking with actually being good in his defensive duties.

'I actually said that he set a standard that night that he's got to continue to keep. He's not consistent – that's the problem with him.'

In his last outing, prior to picking up the calf injury, the 28-year-old scored a goal and provided an assist as Spurs ran out 3-2 winners against Hoffenheim in the Europa League.

Much of Tottenham's campaign has been blighted by the overwhelming injuries to the squad, with Postecoglou forced to call upon teenage stars on a regular basis.

For their recent defeat by Aston Villa, Spurs had 11 first-team players unavailable due to injury - Radu Dragusin, Van de Ven, Romero, Vicario, Udogie, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Maddison.

As a result, Tottenham were active in the winter window and brought in three recruits; Antonin Kinsky, Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel.

Tottenham's next outing sees them take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon - in a must-win match for Postecoglou.

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