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Tottenham get huge injury boost after new update as key talks planned
Sep 10 2026 11:21 · By onefootball.com · 4 Reads
Roberto De Zerbi could soon have a very welcome addition to his Spurs squad
Sweden manager Graham Potter has revealed that Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski is “very close” to a return to fitness after nearly a year-and-a-half out injured.
Kulusevski has not played a single competitive match for club or country since May 2025 after suffering a patella injury during Spurs’ 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The injury was initially described by Tottenham’s then manager Ange Postecoglou as being minor. Yet after two surgeries and nearly 500 days on the sidelines, Kulusevski is still working his way back to action.
Spurs have understandably been cautious with the 26-year-old, given the complicated nature of his injury, but there is hope that he will soon be available for selection.
Kulusevski returned to full team training at the start of last week, with Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi including the playmaker in his Premier League squad.
A small issue meant he had to stop training with the team at the end of last week, but De Zerbi remains optimistic and said he was looking forward to having Kulusevski available for his matchday squad.
With the first international break of the season fast approaching, Kulusevski could be in line for selection for Sweden, and Potter admitted he was hopeful, though realistic, about the former Juventus man’s chances of a call-up later this month.
Long-term absentee: Dejan Kulusevski has not played for Tottenham since May 2025 due to injury
Getty
"He's very close actually. I'm so impressed with him, how he's handled his injury,” said Potter, speaking to Swedish outlet SVT.
"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.”
Sweden begin their latest Nations League campaign in the last week of September. They take on Romania, both home and away, as well as Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a newly-expanded three-week international window.
"The importance of getting Dejan Kulusevski into the national team cannot be emphasised enough,” Potter continued. "He is incredibly important to the team. We love him, his character and qualities.
"He is a world-class player, and it helps enormously to have him around."