Spurs playmaker is back in training after 17-month injury hell
Sam Tabuteau, Sports Reporter
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Chris Waddle has warned Tottenham supporters that they must be patient as Dejan Kulusevski closes in on a return from injury.
Kulusevski has been sidelined since May 2025 with a complicated kneecap injury that has seen him undergo two separate surgeries.
His rehabilitation has been managed carefully, with Spurs’ revamped medical department, led by performance director Dan Lewindon, adopting a more cautious approach after an injury crisis derailed their campaign last season as they narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.
Kulusevski was pulled out of first-team training last month after suffering a setback in his recovery but has since returned.
A comeback now feels closer than ever, but Waddle has urged supporters not to get ahead of themselves, with the Swedish playmaker still some way short of match fitness.
"For Dejan Kulusevski, it’s going to be a sub appearance, maybe come on for 20 minutes, or start and play for an hour if he can manage an hour. Mentally as well, you know, it has been a long, long time,” Waddle told Standard Sport, via talkSPORT BET sports betting.
"Sometimes it's mind over matter, and it'll take a while to hit the ground running. Listen, it's great getting players back, but because he's been out for such a long time, don't expect anything too early.
Struggles: Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have been heavily impacted by injuries
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"Let him grow back into it and give him game time when needed, even playing for the Under-21s in the reserve league, just to get minutes under his belt, get a bit of rhythm, and, as I said earlier, confidence.
“That's the key. If you can get his confidence back, then he'll be a welcome addition to Spurs."
Spurs have looked desperately short of creativity this season, with Kulusevski on the sidelines and James Maddison also struggling for fitness.
Maddison had hoped to use pre-season to build his way back to full fitness after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of last term.
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However, Spurs’ pre-season preparations were severely disrupted, leading head coach Roberto De Zerbi to admit ahead of his side’s Premier League opener against Brentford that they were physically under-prepared.
To add insult to injury, Maddison subsequently suffered a shoulder fracture after coming off the bench against Brentford and has only recently returned.
"James Maddison knows the club, knows the fans, knows how the club works, and he knows De Zerbi plays on the front foot,” Waddle continued.
“I think Maddison's the type of player they need. He's a number 10, there's no doubt about that.
"Whether James Maddison is the player to do that consistently, I’m not sure. Unfortunately, the lad's been dogged with injuries for the last 18 months.
“So you feel for him on that, because he's that sort of player Tottenham need at the minute to create things and get on the ball and feed the wingers, giving that bit of difference, bit of quality which they've been lacking on the creative side.”
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