The Tottenham star looks set to recover from injury for Roberto De Zerbi’s side against Manchester United this weekend
Dejan Kulusevski, speeding up his recovery from a serious knee injury, took part in a domestic friendly during the international break.
The Tottenham star has been sidelined for more than 500 days since suffering a severe patellar injury in his right knee against Crystal Palace a couple of seasons ago.
The 26-year-old has been back training with his team-mates in recent weeks and looks fit and ready for Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford should Roberto De Zerbi look to include the Swede in his squad.
Kulusevski received the first week of the three-week international break, as did other Spurs first-team stars who did not travel from their home countries. Then, at the end of the second week, he took part in a domestic 11v11 game at Hotspur Way, which saw a senior side take on an under-18 and under-21 team, per the Daily Mail.
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football.london it was previously reported that Kulusevski was being careful and cautious by the staff, and was not pressured by anyone when it came to the timeline, but now it seems that a comeback is in the near future.
Tottenham are currently bottom of the Premier League and are winless in their first five league games. De Zerbi needs to start getting a tune out of his players soon, and Kulusevski’s return to the matchday squad against Manchester United on Saturday could be the boost the whole squad needs. The Italian specialist will report on Kulusevski and other injured players on Friday.
Kulusevski took to social media last month after his long-awaited return to training. The former Juventus star said: “After 477 days I’m back in full team training. Everything is impossible until it happens. I want to see a miracle. Be one. See you soon.”
Speaking before the international break, De Zerbi insisted Kulusevski would be a new signing when he returns.
“We have to manage Deki the best we can with the medical staff, the physical staff. But it’s a great thing for us because he’s a good player, a good guy,” De Zerbi said.
“He deserves to play again. We have to work day by day. Also the international break is important for Deki because when he is at his best and overcomes the injury, I think it’s a great signing, a new signing for us, another new signing.”