Tottenham Hotspur have received another encouraging development concerning Dejan Kulusevski after the Swedish international was named in Graham Potter’s squad for the upcoming November international fixtures.
The 26-year-old has been included in Sweden’s squad for their Nations League meetings with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland, marking his return to international football after a lengthy absence caused by a serious knee injury.
However, his selection has attracted attention because Kulusevski has played only 17 minutes of football for Tottenham since returning from his long spell on the sidelines.
The winger has endured a difficult period after suffering a serious kneecap injury in May 2025. His recovery proved more complicated than initially expected, forcing him to undergo two separate operations and spend more than 17 months away from competitive action.
His last appearance for Sweden came on November 19, 2024, when he produced an outstanding performance against Azerbaijan, scoring twice and providing an assist.
Kulusevski Finally Returns After 526 Days Out
Kulusevski’s journey back to football has been particularly challenging. The Tottenham attacker had not featured competitively since his appearance against Crystal Palace on May 11, 2025.
After months of rehabilitation and recovery, he finally received medical clearance to return to Tottenham’s matchday squad in October.
His comeback arrived during Tottenham’s Premier League encounter against Coventry City on October 19. He entered the game in the 87th minute, replacing Mohammed Kudus in a 3-1 victory.
It was a significant moment for the Swedish international, who had spent 526 days without competitive football.
Since that appearance, Kulusevski has also featured against Chelsea and Crystal Palace. However, his involvement has remained limited, with all three appearances coming as a substitute.
His combined playing time across those matches stands at just 17 minutes, highlighting how carefully Tottenham are managing his return.
Graham Potter Welcomes Him Back to Sweden
Sweden manager Graham Potter will be delighted to have one of his most important attacking players available again.
Potter had previously shown interest in bringing Kulusevski back into the national team during the September international break. However, the manager understood that Tottenham needed to manage the player’s recovery carefully.
The Swedish coach has acknowledged that the north London club has the final say regarding Kulusevski’s workload because their medical department monitors his condition daily.
Sweden and Tottenham have maintained regular communication about his progress, with both parties understanding the importance of avoiding another setback.
His inclusion in the latest squad is therefore an encouraging sign that his recovery is progressing.
Two Important Nations League Fixtures Await Sweden
Sweden have two important matches scheduled during the November international break.
Potter’s team will welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina to Strawberry Arena on November 14 before travelling to face Poland on November 17.
The squad is expected to assemble on Monday before spending a week preparing in Valencia.
Kulusevski’s involvement in the training camp will provide an opportunity to assess how well he handles the increased physical demands of international football.
Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether he will receive significant playing time in either fixture.
Considering his limited minutes since returning to Tottenham, a carefully managed substitute appearance could be the most realistic approach.
Tottenham Will Closely Monitor His Fitness
Although Sweden’s decision to recall Kulusevski is positive news, Tottenham will be particularly interested in how his body responds to the demands of international football.
The club have taken a cautious approach to his comeback, gradually increasing his involvement rather than immediately returning him to the starting eleven.
Potter has previously made it clear that Tottenham have the final decision regarding his fitness and availability.
With two international matches scheduled within three days, managing his workload will be important.
Spurs will also want him to return from international duty in good condition as they prepare for their next Premier League assignment against Ipswich Town on November 21.
A Major Step Forward After a Difficult Period
Kulusevski’s return to the Sweden squad represents an important achievement after more than 17 months of injury struggles.
Missing out on the World Cup during his recovery was also a particularly difficult experience for the midfielder, making his return to international football even more significant.
For Tottenham supporters, the priority will be seeing him gradually regain his best form and become an important part of the team’s attacking options again.
His recall is certainly encouraging, but the biggest challenge now is ensuring that he continues his recovery without experiencing another injury setback.
