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Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski has shared a fresh update on his recovery and revealed when he hopes to finally return to the pitch.

Injuries have been a major factor behind Tottenham Hotspur’s disastrous campaign.

Thomas Frank began the season with a strong squad but was soon hit by a growing injury list, something his successor Igor Tudor has also had to deal with. However, one issue that has remained constant throughout has been the lack of creativity in the side.

James Maddison suffered an ACL injury during pre-season, while Dejan Kulusevski picked up a knee problem last season that has kept him out far longer than initially expected.

Tottenham did bring in Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in the summer, but the Dutchman has struggled with inconsistency and has not been able to fully replace either Maddison or Kulusevski despite showing flashes of quality.

There had been some optimism around Maddison returning before the end of the season, and now there is also a positive development regarding Kulusevski, who has set himself a clear target for his comeback.

Ahead of Sweden’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, Dejan Kulusevski was present at the national team camp to support his teammates.

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A video of the Tottenham midfielder limping earlier in the week sparked concern among supporters, but Kulusevski reassured fans on Instagram before addressing it further in an interview with the Swedish media outlet Viaplay (via Football London).

“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 said.

“Now it’s just a matter of slowly and surely coming back. I can see the light. It feels better now.”

Kulusevski also made it clear that he is targeting a return in time for the World Cup when asked if he sees himself in the Sweden squad.

“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.

“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. That’s how the movie will end, God willing.”

What Dejan Kulusevski’s return timeline means for Tottenham

Some Tottenham supporters noted that Kulusevski did not mention the club during his interview, but the context of the conversation makes that understandable, with the focus being on Sweden’s upcoming qualifiers.

What will matter more for Spurs fans is the clarity that has finally emerged around his recovery. For the first time in months, there is a clearer indication of where he stands physically and mentally after previous managers avoided putting a firm timeframe on his return.

While his primary target appears to be the World Cup, the timeline suggests Kulusevski may be unlikely to feature again for Spurs this season.