Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski nears return after 477-day absence

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski is on the verge of making a long-awaited return to the pitch after a 16-month injury absence. The 26-year-old has not featured in a competitive match since May 2025 due to a persistent knee issue.

His recovery was a lengthy process that required two separate surgeries on his right patella, the second occurring in March. The complications meant he was sidelined for the entirety of the previous campaign and missed out on the summer World Cup.

Kulusevski returned to first-team training at the start of September. While he is not yet being considered for Roberto De Zerbi's matchday squads, Sweden head coach Graham Potter is optimistic about his progress and is looking to reach an agreement with Spurs' medical staff to include him in the national team for the upcoming international break.

He's very close. I'm so impressed with him, how he's handled his injury. Of course, we have to be careful with him. I hope he comes with us, but we have to talk to Dejan and Tottenham first. Graham Potter

Having the winger back would be a significant boost for Sweden as they prepare for a busy Nations League schedule from September 21 to October 6. Potter views the Spurs attacker as a vital part of his tactical setup and hopes to involve him in fixtures against Romania, Poland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Back in north London, Roberto De Zerbi is expected to monitor the player's fitness closely, with plans to carefully integrate him into the domestic setup once he proves his readiness for top-level competition.