Sources: Tottenham handed 'massive boost' by training ground reveal

Tottenham Hotspur's squad have received a "massive boost" to their morale with Dejan Kulusevski's return to training, sources have told Football Insider.

The 26-year-old hasn't played for the Lilywhites since May 2025, but is now nearing the end of his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Kulusevski has returned to first-team training at Hotspur Way in recent weeks, and it has been an encouraging sight for both his teammates and Roberto De Zerbi.

However, sources say that the coaching staff have no "huge expectations" for the forward in terms of his impact when he returns to the matchday squad.

Tottenham are prepared to be patient and "tread carefully" with the final stages of his recovery, as they are well aware that he has already endured multiple setbacks.

The former Juventus man notched 21 goal involvements during the 2024-25 campaign for Spurs, and they still hold hope that he can return to the levels he hit previously.

Dejan Kulusevski working away from Tottenham

Kulusevski is finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of his recovery, and that has had a positive effect on the rest of the Spurs group.

The Sweden international's teammates have been pleased to see him return to training with the rest of the squad, and it has helped to bring more of an upbeat feeling around the club.

Kulusevski is currently back in his homeland working on his fitness during the international break, as he prepares to return to football full-time.

There is a genuine hope at Tottenham that he could potentially be ready to play a role in matchday squads within the first few weeks after the international break.

However, De Zerbi and Co. remain keen to ease him back into action, and there is no doubt that he will receive limited minutes to start with.

Two Tottenham stars tipped for January transfers

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider earlier this week that both James Maddison and Conor Gallagher are candidates for a potential exit in January.

The pair have both largely been used as substitutes in recent weeks, and the ex-recruitment man believes that is a situation that simply must be addressed.

King outlined his expectation that one of the duo will leave the North London outfit in January, especially with Kulusevski closing in on a return.

Maddison's own fitness has been under scrutiny following an ACL injury, and he could now be shown the door in the coming months.