Huge Tottenham boost as Dejan Kulusevski finally sets injury return date

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Evening Standard

·27 March 2026

Huge Tottenham boost as Dejan Kulusevski finally sets injury return date

Sweden star is ‘very confident’ to play at the summer World Cup

Dejan Kulusevski is aiming to play for Tottenham again this season as he targets a spot in Sweden's World Cup squad - should they qualify.

The midfielder has been sidelined with a serious injury to his right kneecap since last May. Described at the time by then-Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou as "just a knock", Kulusevski has endured a long and bumpy road to recovery since, having been hit with several setbacks.

Kulusevski this week visited Sweden's national team camp, as he continued his recovery, and inadvertently sparked more fears over his fitness after being pictured limping. The Spurs man quickly moved to allay fresh concerns by confirming he has recently undergone another surgery.

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He posted on Thursday: "Just to clarify things. I'm limping because I had a small intervention in the knee two weeks ago. Went in and took out what was not supposed to be there. Knee is great now. Thanks for all the support."

And now, speaking to Viaplay, Kulusevski claims he has "never felt better" and, ahead of Sweden facing Poland next week for a place at the World Cup, firmly has his sights set on making Graham Potter's tournament squad.

Kulusevski is now "very confident" his injury woes are behind him after the latest surgery, and insists he will be an even better player for Spurs and Sweden once back on a football pitch.

"I understand that people were worried [by the limping], but it was really for the wrong reason," Kulusevski explained. "It was really positive that I did this little procedure and that we were able to find the problem.

"Now everything should be good. 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 [the] World Cup in two or three months. This is how the book and the chapter will end. I’m convinced of that … I'm very confident with where I am today."

Dejan Kulusevski confirmed another surgery

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Tottenham will hope Kulusevski can play some part of their season run-in as they remain perilously close to relegation from the Premier League, as the midfielder "100 per cent" sees himself being fit in time for the World Cup.

"That is the driving force I have," Kulusevski said of playing at the World Cup.

"Having that opportunity is absolutely fantastic. It is a challenge that I have not been able to overcome so far in terms of getting healthy, but it is not over yet.

"I don’t want people to worry about me. I’ve never felt better in my life. I feel much stronger now. I hear people wondering if I’ll be the same player when I come back. No, I’ll be much stronger, much better, much smarter and better for my team-mates."