Dejan Kulusevski has taken another significant step towards a Tottenham return by playing his first match in more than 500 days.
The Sweden international has not featured for club or country since May 2025 because of a complicated kneecap injury that required two separate operations over 10 months. His recovery has been difficult, with an initial return to first-team training recently disrupted when he was temporarily withdrawn following a setback.
Return to match action at Hotspur Way
During the second week of the extended three-week international break, Kulusevski took part in an 11-a-side training match at Hotspur Way. The former Juventus winger played on a team made up of first-team players who faced an opposition side comprising some of Tottenham's Under-21s and Under-18s talents.
It is not clear how many minutes Kulusevski managed or the impact he had on the game. However, returning to match action after an absence of 17 months and more than 500 days marks a major milestone as he builds fitness ahead of a competitive comeback and his first appearance under head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Careful management by Spurs medical staff
It remains unclear when Kulusevski will be back in contention for Tottenham in the Premier League, with his progress being managed carefully by the club's revamped medical department, led by performance director Dan Lewindon.
Tottenham are taking a more cautious approach after an injury crisis derailed their previous two campaigns, contributing to back-to-back 17th-place finishes and last season's relegation battle that was only decided on the final day.
Fresh injury concerns and Spurs' poor start
De Zerbi was handed fresh injury concerns during the international break over captain Micky van de Ven (finger) and fellow Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke (foot), while right-back Pedro Porro withdrew from the Spain squad with a hamstring injury suffered in the 3-2 loss to Aston Villa.
Chelsea loanee Mykhailo Mudryk remains sidelined with an ankle issue, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are both working their way back from anterior cruciate ligament ruptures suffered last season.
Despite a summer transfer spend in excess of £300 million, Tottenham sit bottom of the Premier League table ahead of the league's return this weekend, with no wins and only two points and two goals from five matches. They resume action on Saturday evening at Old Trafford against a Manchester United side who have won only one of their first five games under pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
