Dejan Kulusevski is set to make Tottenham's matchday squad for the first time in more than 500 days on Monday, Oct. 19.
Kulusevski will be on the bench for a Premier League match against Coventry at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a massive moment for the midfielder.
The Sweden international has not played since May 2025 after suffering a complicated kneecap injury that required two surgeries.
But ahead of Monday's game, Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Kulusevski would be part of the matchday squad.
"Yes, Kulusevski is on the bench. We had a meeting with the medical staff. They gave the OK and it's great news. I think it's one of the best news after the Everton game last season because Deki suffered too much. He deserves to feel emotion on the pitch," De Zerbi told a news conference.
Kulusevski first suffered a knee injury in a May 2025 match against Crystal Palace, forcing him out of Tottenham's Europa League final win over Manchester United later that month.
The 26-year-old underwent a second knee operation in March, forcing him to miss the World Cup this summer with Sweden.
After such a long period on the sidelines, De Zerbi said he was delighted to be able to tell Kulusevski he would be in the squad against Coventry.
"I said to him, 'I spoke with the medical staff and they gave me the OK' and he smiled like this [wide]," De Zerbi said.
"And we are happy. We are very, very happy. It's not football. I'm not speaking about football. OK, he's a special player, but we are speaking about different things. He suffered a lot and his reaction was great."
On Sunday, Oct. 18, Kulusevski took to Instagram and said: “And I see u tomorrow I told you I would be back. Now is the time.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Dejan Kulusevski playing vs Coventry? Tottenham star set for long-awaited return