The Tottenham Hotspur attacker has been speaking to Swedish media and has made it clear when he expects to be back from his knee injury
Dejan Kulusevski expects to be back playing in time for this summer's World Cup and claims he's never felt better in his life than he does right now as he closes in on a return from his knee injury.
The Swede injured the patella in his knee back in May last year and after a couple of setbacks following his initial surgery, is yet to return to action for Spurs. Earlier this week he was spotted limping while in Spain meeting his international team-mates ahead of their World Cup play-off semi-final win against Ukraine.
The 25-year-old Tottenham midfielder revealed afterwards that he had undergone a small operation to clean out the knee and that was why he was limping but that the knee was "feeling great now" in a message on Instagram.
Then ahead of Sweden's game, Kulusevski delivered more positive news as he targets a return to action almost a year after his initial injury against Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season.
"I understand that people were worried, but it was really for the wrong reason. It was really positive that I did this little procedure and that we were able to find the problem. Now everything should be solved," he told Swedish media outlet Viaplay. "Now it's just a matter of slowly and surely coming back.
"I can see the light. It feels better now. I really have a positive feeling about these two important matches [for Sweden] and a World Cup in two or three months. This is how the book and the chapter will end. I am convinced of that."
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When asked if he sees himself playing at the World Cup for Sweden this summer, Kulusevski is confident of returning in time for the showpiece tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico and presumably beforehand to help Tottenham in their Premier League relegation battle.
"One hundred percent. Yes. That (the World Cup) is the driving force I have. To have that opportunity is absolutely fantastic. It's a challenge that I haven't been able to overcome so far in terms of getting healthy, but it's not over yet. Now the second game starts," he said.
The Spurs man admitted that his original goal has been to return for Thursday night's international play-off match but it was not to be.
"I did everything I could to be ready to play today. It didn't work. Maybe for things you won't even find out about, but at the end of the day, God decides. I'm very confident with where I am today," he said.
"I don't want people to be worried about me. I've never felt better in my life. I feel a lot stronger now. I hear people wondering if I'll be the same player when I come back. No, I'll be a lot stronger, a lot better, a lot smarter and better for my teammates."
Kulusevski is certain that the World Cup awaits for him this summer.
"That's how it has to end. Otherwise, it hasn't gone as I planned. I'm absolutely convinced that we'll win these two games and I'll be ready to play and play my first World Cup in the USA," he said. "That's how the movie will end, God willing."