Born in the city, Maddison came through as an academy player and, across two spells with the Sky Blues, featured 42 times for the club.

Writing on social media, he said: "I had already planned my first goal back I was kissing the badge of this club who has supported me and my family through the darkest days of my career over the past 18 months. I absolutely adore and love Coventry City. All my close friends and family know that.

"I’m a fan and always will be and I will 100% apologise to anyone who thought the timing was bad as my first goal back just happened to be against my hometown club. Good luck to Frank and the boys for the rest of the season. PUSB."

The apology comes after Maddison was slammed by Coventry fans on social media for his celebration. @JackWhitman_7 wrote on X: "Born in Coventry. Has a Leicester tattoo. Kisses the Spurs badge. James Maddison eh."

@awaydayladsfs wrote: "he really enjoyed that one against is old club didnt he."

Not everybody was fuming with Maddison though. @panks_79 said: "Why are Cov fans so upset by Maddison? He’s clearly a sky blue fan. He loves Coventry.

"And I think it’d be great for him to end his career there. He started his first match for 18 months. Scored a goal for a club who’s supported him through his injuries. What’s the issue?"

@UK_Chemist remarked: "Two things can be true at once. James Maddison can be a proud Coventry City fan AND be grateful to his employers and the Tottenham fans for supporting him back from injury. The level of abuse he’s received is completely unfair. #PUSB."

"I hoped. I spoke to the gaffer [Roberto De Zerbi] about this week and feeling like it was the right moment for me to go back into the starting XI after a stop-start start to the season.

"I just wanted to play well and to show my qualities and what the team has missed in the last 18 months since my last start. The gaffer asked me to play and wanted to enjoy watching me from the side, so hopefully I did that. A goal like that is always nice."