Tottenham boost as Dejan Kulusevski plays first game after 500-day injury hell

Kulusevski played his first match in 17 months during an 11-a-side training game at Hotspur Way as he continues his recovery from a complicated knee injury.

Dejan Kulusevski has reached a major milestone in his comeback from a severe kneecap injury that has sidelined him since May 2025. The Sweden international, who required two surgeries over 10 months, recently suffered a setback during his initial return to first-team training but has since resumed his rehabilitation. Last week, he featured in an 11-a-side training match at Tottenham's Hotspur Way facility against a mix of Under-21 and U18 players. While the exact minutes played remain unclear, the appearance marks significant progress after more than 500 days out, though Spurs are continuing to manage his recovery carefully ahead of a competitive return.