Kulusevski back for Spurs but Porro, Savio, Bergvall miss Coventry clash

Tottenham will have Dejan Kulusevski back in the squad for Monday's Premier League clash against Coventry, but Pedro Porro, Savio and Lucas Bergvall will all miss out.

Kulusevski has been sidelined since May 2025 with a complicated kneecap injury that required two surgeries and more than 500 days on the sidelines.

The Swedish playmaker has been edging closer to a return and was part of the travelling squad as Spurs rescued a late 1-1 draw away to Manchester United last weekend. He has continued to train with the first team and travelled to Marbella for the club's warm-weather training camp last week.

Kulusevski named on the bench

With an extended break between games, Monday's clash looks like a good opportunity to reintegrate Kulusevski as Spurs search for their first Premier League win of the season.

"Yes, Kulusevski [will be] on the bench," Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi revealed in his pre-match press conference on Sunday. "We had a meeting with the medical staff, they gave the okay and it's great news."

While Kulusevski is ready to make an impact, De Zerbi confirmed the game will come too soon for vice-captain Porro, who has been out for nearly a month with a hamstring injury suffered during Spurs' 3-2 defeat by Aston Villa. Porro should be ready for the Chelsea game next weekend.

Double fitness blow and suspension

Tottenham will also be without midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur against Coventry after he was sent off for headbutting Manchester United defender Luke Shaw, while Savio and Bergvall have been ruled out through injury.

The major selection decision for De Zerbi is whether to hand James Maddison his first Premier League start since April 2025. The England midfielder has been in and out of the side after suffering a shoulder fracture during Spurs' 3-0 defeat by Brentford on the opening weekend.

Maddison, who missed most of last season after knee surgery, made a positive impression off the bench against United and could be trusted from the start, with Tottenham in need of creative inspiration.

Chelsea loanee Mykhailo Mudryk is not available as he continues his recovery from an ankle ligament injury, while Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons remain long-term absentees.