Thomas Frank issues Dejan Kulusevski update in Tottenham injury latest for Man City

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·22 Agustus 2025

Thomas Frank issues Dejan Kulusevski update in Tottenham injury latest for Man City

Fresh reports this week suggested Kulusevski is likely to be out until around the turn of the year with his knee injury

Kulusevski has been out since undergoing knee surgery in May

Video OneFootball

Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Thomas Frank says Tottenham are not putting a timeframe on how long Dejan Kulusevski will be out, but admits his injury is “a longer one”.

Kulusevski has been out since undergoing knee surgery in May, with Ange Postecoglou stating then that the Swede would be on the sidelines for “at least a few months”.

As expected, Kulusevski has therefore played no part in pre-season and Thomas Frank's only update up to this point was to confirm the 25-year-old will be unavailable for “a long time”.

Reports emerged on Thursday that Kulusevski could be out until 2026 and at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City, Frank said: “No Kulusevski, he's out. That's a longer one, I don't want to put a timeframe on it.”

Kulusevski was injured at the end of last season and missed the Europa League final

Getty Images

Kulusevski's lengthy absence leaves Frank with a further headache as he attempts to find solutions to a gap in the squad at No10.

James Maddison will miss the majority of the season after suffering a serious knee injury and it means the Spurs boss is without two of his most creative players for at least the next four months.

It draws further attention to the club's actions in the transfer window so far.

Spurs were unable to wrap up a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the summer, before moving their focus to Eberechi Eze.

They were in pole position to sign the Crystal Palace star and believed they had reached an agreement this week, only for Arsenal to swoop at the last minute and hijack the deal.

Frank has confirmed Destiny Udogie remains sidelined for the Manchester City game, but the left-back is closing in on a return. Yves Bissouma remains out.

“Destiny is better,” Frank said.

“He's trained with the team twice, full trainings, and also other trainings. Just too short to be involved for City. We want him to train tomorrow and have another good week next week as well, but he's in a good place. Looks very positive about him.

“Biss will miss this game as well.”