Archive photograph: the players' tunnel at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 15 December 2020. Photo: Hzh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, with a crop and overlay for display; the photograph remains available under the same licence.
Dejan Kulusevski is set to return to the Tottenham bench against Coventry City on Monday, giving Spurs a welcome lift as they search for their first Premier League win of the season.
The Sweden international has been out since May 2025. His last involvement came against Crystal Palace on 11 May that year, making this an opportunity to rejoin his team-mates on matchday after nearly 18 months away.
Tottenham host Coventry at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday 19 October, with kick-off at 8pm BST. The game is live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Kulusevski gets the green light
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed on Sunday that the medical staff had cleared Kulusevski to take a place among the substitutes. That does not promise an appearance, but it brings the midfielder a step closer to playing again.
“He deserves to feel emotion on the pitch,” De Zerbi said, describing Kulusevski's reaction when he told him the news. For supporters waiting to see him back, simply having his name on the bench would be a moment to savour.
The return comes with other players still absent. Savio and Lucas Bergvall are ruled out, while Rodrigo Bentancur begins a three-match suspension following his sending-off at Manchester United.
Spurs still need their league breakthrough
Tottenham have three points from six league matches: three draws, three defeats and no wins. They have scored only three goals, although all three have come in their last two league outings.
Scoring twice in a 3–2 home defeat by Aston Villa ended a run of four league games without a goal. Tottenham then drew 1–1 at Manchester United, but their wait for a victory continues.
Coventry arrive with something to build on
Frank Lampard's side have transformed their own start with successive league wins. After losing their opening four games without scoring, Coventry beat Nottingham Forest 1–0 away and Newcastle United 4–1 at home.
Those victories have taken the Sky Blues to six points, twice Tottenham's total. Taiwo Awoniyi is also available again after suspension, according to Spurs' official match guide.
For Coventry, the question is whether they can make it three wins running. For Spurs, it is whether a night with a long-awaited return can also deliver a much-needed first league victory.
Follow the latest fixtures and catch up with the weekend's results.
Sources: Tottenham's Kulusevski update and official match guide. League records cover this season's completed Premier League matches before kick-off.
