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Dejan Kulusevski is at last edging towards a return to competitive football after a demanding 16-month struggle with a complicated knee injury. Sweden manager Graham Potter is hoping to name the Tottenham Hotspur attacker in his forthcoming Nations League squad, subject to clearance from the club's medical team.

Kulusevski is nearing the end of a long injury ordeal.

The 26-year-old is close to making his much-awaited comeback after a damaging 16-month spell on the sidelines. He has not featured in a competitive game since May 2025 because of a serious knee issue. The Sweden international was absent for the whole of Tottenham's previous campaign as he dealt with repeated setbacks.

He initially underwent surgery on a problem with his right patella at the end of the 2024-25 season and had expected to be out for only a few months. But his rehabilitation did not progress as hoped, which resulted in a second operation in March. The lengthy lay-off left Spurs supporters increasingly concerned and also meant the winger missed the summer World Cup.

Potter has now spoken about his hopes of bringing him back into the Sweden setup.

The forward returned to first-team training with Spurs at the start of September. Although he is still not being considered for Roberto De Zerbi's matchday squads, Sweden boss Potter is said to be very encouraged by the progress he has made.

Potter is keen to quickly reach an understanding with Tottenham's medical department so Kulusevski can be involved during the coming international break. The manager is eager to bring the attacker back into the national-team fold.

"He's very close. I'm so impressed with him, how he's handled his injury," Potter told SVT. "Of course, we have to be careful with him. I hope he comes with us, but we have to talk to Dejan and Tottenham first."

A world-class presence for the national side.

Having Kulusevski back on the field would be a major lift for a Sweden team getting ready for an unusually extended international window. Potter sees the Tottenham forward as a vital and irreplaceable part of his tactical plans.

Underlining just how important he is, Potter added: "The importance of getting Dejan Kulusevski into the national team cannot be emphasised enough. He is incredibly important to the team. We love him, his character and qualities. He is a world-class player and it helps enormously to have him around."

Nations League fixtures now await the returning forward.

Sweden are scheduled to play four Nations League matches during a long international break running from September 21 to October 6. They begin at home against Romania and then host Poland three days later. After that, difficult away matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania will complete the window. Potter is hopeful that Kulusevski will be fit enough to contribute in some capacity across those four important fixtures.

Back in north London, De Zerbi will keep a close watch on developments. Spurs intend to reintroduce the 26-year-old carefully into their domestic plans once he has fully shown that he is fit.