Roberto De Zerbi reveals Dejan Kulusevski return date in two-man Tottenham injury update | OneFootball

Sweden star is losing his battle to be fit for the World Cup

Kulusevski’s injury has been a source of great concern for Spurs, who have struggled creatively in his absence, and he is now a major doubt to make Graham Potter’s squad for the World Cup.

The former Juventus man remains hopeful of playing in his first World Cup for his country after they missed out on qualification for the 2022 edition, and said he was “100 per cent determined” to get fit in time to be selected.

Since that interview, which he gave after Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in a knockout play-off to secure qualification, Kulusevski has looked no closer to making a return to fitness.

The 26-year-old went for a second surgery on his knee over the March international break, but is still not under consideration for minutes approaching the final weeks of the domestic season.

Asked whether he felt Kulusevski would be fit for the World Cup, De Zerbi responded: “I don’t know the situation well.

“For me, it’s difficult to understand how he can play at the World Cup if he didn’t play any games this season.

“But I texted him after [the Villa game]. He told me in the next week, I think, he comes back [to continue his rehab at Hotspur Way]. And I hope he can be available to stay with us in the last game because he is an amazing player.”

However, supporters were left concerned after Richarlison was absent from training on Wednesday afternoon, having been substituted late on at Villa Park.

De Zerbi allayed any fears around Richarlison’s fitness, though, stating that the Brazilian forward had been suffering from fatigue.

“Yes [he missed training] because he worked very hard [aganist Villa],” the Italian said.

“I think my mistake was not to substitute him before the end of the game.

“But Richarlison was playing very well, he was important in the set-pieces and he played a great game. But just fatigue.”