Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has taken a step forward in his recovery from a serious knee injury after he started ball work again at the club’s Hotspur Way training ground.
Kulusevski has not played for Spurs in 15 months since the end of the 2024-25 campaign after an innocuous challenge with Marc Guehi during a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace resulted in a long-term absence with a right patella injury.
Multiple setbacks for Sweden international Kulusevski ensured he missed the whole of last season and this summer’s World Cup, but while he is not yet back in team training, Tottenham released footage on Wednesday of the 26-year-old with a ball again.
Press Association understands a return to competitive football is still some way off for Kulusevski, who has endured a nightmare period away from the pitch but underwent a second procedure on his right knee in March which has paved the way for a comeback.
The former Juventus playmaker will be slowly phased back into Spurs team training when he is ready but the ball work shown from this week of Kulusevski shooting and passing during club footage is the next step on his rehabilitation programme.
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi recently talked up the ability of Kulusevski during a media briefing with reporters on the pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia.
“Kulusevski, fit and right, he’s one of the best players we have in the squad,” De Zerbi told British media.
“I wouldn’t like to put too much pressure on him to accelerate the process of rehab but I hope he can be available as early as possible.”
Even though Kulusevski will not be an option for De Zerbi at the start of the season, winger Mohammed Kudus has stepped up his efforts to try and be available for the Premier League opener away at Brentford on August 22.
Kudus has not played for Tottenham since January due to a tendon injury, which ruled the Ghana international out of the World Cup.
However, Kudus has taken part in shooting and passing drills at Hotspur Way in a welcome boost for De Zerbi, who is waiting on Spurs to provide attacking reinforcements after a busy summer where £237million has been spent.
Tottenham hold an interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and Savinho of Manchester City, but also need to trim down their squad and further outgoings are expected this week.
Ashley Phillips could be set for Middlesbrough after the Championship club entered advanced talks with Spurs over the young centre-back.
Mikey Moore will also depart on loan with Cologne set to win the race to sign the 18-year-old on a straight loan with no permanent option or obligation included in the deal.