Tottenham Receive Major Injury Boost as Dejan Kulusevski Nears Return
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed encouraging news on the fitness front, with Dejan Kulusevski moving closer to a return to first-team football after an exhausting 17-month spell on the sidelines. The Swedish international has reportedly passed an important milestone in his rehabilitation during the latest international break, raising hopes that he could soon rejoin full training and begin working towards a competitive comeback.
Kulusevski’s progress will be welcomed by Spurs supporters and the club’s coaching staff. A long-term absence can leave a noticeable gap in any squad, particularly when the injured player offers the combination of creativity, strength and attacking versatility that the winger brings. While his recovery is not yet the same as being ready to play, reaching a significant stage in the process represents a meaningful step forward after months of patient work.
A crucial step after a lengthy recovery
Seventeen months away from the first team is a considerable period for any professional footballer. Rehabilitation from a serious injury involves more than restoring basic movement or fitness. Players must rebuild strength, improve conditioning, regain confidence in the affected area and gradually adapt to the speed and physical demands of elite-level football.
That process is typically managed in stages. A player may progress from individual gym work and controlled running to ball exercises, more demanding training drills and, eventually, full sessions with teammates. Passing a major milestone suggests that Kulusevski’s recovery is advancing, but Tottenham are likely to take a cautious approach before deciding when he can return to full-contact training or match action.
For a player who has spent so long away from competitive football, careful management matters. Rushing back too soon can increase the risk of setbacks, while a gradual reintegration gives the medical and coaching teams a clearer picture of how the body responds to each increase in workload. Spurs will want to balance the excitement surrounding his progress with the need to protect his long-term fitness.
What Kulusevski could bring back to Tottenham
Kulusevski has the qualities to offer Tottenham several options in attack. Comfortable operating from the right, he can also move into central areas, carry the ball forward and create opportunities for teammates. His physical presence can help him hold off defenders, while his left-footed delivery provides another route for Spurs to threaten around the penalty area.
Those attributes can be especially valuable against opponents who defend deep. Tottenham often need players capable of creating space, taking on a marker or finding a pass between defensive lines. Kulusevski’s ability to combine direct running with close control could give the team another way to break down compact defences and keep pressure on the opposition.
His return would also expand the manager’s selection choices. A fit, available attacker can provide competition for starting places and give the coaching staff more flexibility when adjusting the shape of the team. Depending on the opponent and the players around him, Kulusevski could be used wide, tucked inside or as part of a more fluid attacking unit.
Why the international window may have helped
The international break can be a useful period for injured players because it offers time to focus on rehabilitation without the same immediate pressure of a packed club fixture schedule. It can allow medical staff to monitor progress closely, tailor training sessions and assess how a player responds to increased demands.
That does not mean an international window automatically speeds up a recovery. Instead, it can provide a quieter setting in which to complete carefully planned work. For Kulusevski, successfully reaching a key stage during this period gives Tottenham a positive update as the club looks ahead to the next phase of its campaign.
His progress may also lift the mood around the squad. Long-term injuries can be difficult for players and teammates alike, particularly when a recovery involves repeated setbacks or an uncertain return date. Seeing a familiar attacking presence move closer to training can provide encouragement, even if the club remains guarded about a precise timetable.
Tottenham’s return-to-play decision will require patience
Supporters will naturally be eager to know when Kulusevski might feature again, but a milestone in rehabilitation should not be mistaken for confirmation of an immediate return. The next steps are likely to depend on how he handles football-specific work and whether he can build fitness without discomfort or reaction.
Even after a player is cleared for full training, match readiness can take additional time. Training sessions do not always reproduce the intensity, unpredictability and repeated high-speed efforts of a competitive fixture. Tottenham may therefore choose to increase his involvement gradually, potentially building his minutes over several appearances rather than expecting an instant return to a full workload.
That measured approach could be particularly important after an absence lasting more than a year. The target should not simply be to get Kulusevski back onto the pitch as soon as possible; it should be to give him the best chance of staying available once he returns. Consistency could ultimately prove more valuable than a hurried comeback.
What the update means for Spurs’ season
Tottenham’s football ambitions depend on having enough depth to manage a demanding schedule across league and cup competitions. Injuries can force managers to rely heavily on a smaller group of players, increasing the physical burden on those who remain fit. The prospect of Kulusevski returning would therefore offer more than one additional attacking option: it could help spread minutes and provide greater flexibility during a busy run of fixtures.
His eventual availability could also influence the balance of Tottenham’s forward line. With another technically capable player available, Spurs may be better equipped to vary their approach, whether they need to attack quickly in transition or patiently work the ball into dangerous areas. The extent of that impact will depend on his fitness, form and how smoothly he adapts to the rhythm of first-team football again.
Any prediction about the exact date of Kulusevski’s comeback remains uncertain until Tottenham provide a clearer update. For now, the most important development is that he has completed a significant part of a demanding recovery. If his progress continues without complications, the Swedish winger could move closer to training with the senior squad and, in time, competing for a place in the team.
For Spurs fans, the update offers genuine reason for optimism while still calling for patience. Kulusevski’s return is not guaranteed by one successful milestone, but it brings the prospect of a key attacking player being back in contention into sharper focus. Tottenham will hope the next stages go smoothly, allowing him to rebuild match fitness and make a lasting contribution when he is finally ready to return to competitive football.
