Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham's head coach, has revealed that Kulusevski has experienced a minor setback in his rehabilitation, causing him to miss training for the past two days. De Zerbi stated that Kulusevski's small problem is not of concern and that he expects the player to continue making progress. Meanwhile, another player, Maddison, will not be involved in Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest due to a shoulder fracture sustained on the opening weekend of the season. De Zerbi has been cautious with his players' fitness after a spate of long-term injuries last season.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Tottenham Hotspur has been dealt another injury blow with *Dejan Kulusevski* ruled out for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest due to a minor issue that prevented him from training with the rest of the squad. Kulusevski, who had returned to full-team training after more than a year out, started training with the team at the beginning of the week but was stopped by a small problem on two consecutive days. Despite this setback, coach *Roberto De Zerbi* remains optimistic about Kulusevski's progress and believes he will be ready soon. The 26-year-old had been eased back into action towards the end of last season after suffering long-term injuries, alongside other players such as *Destiny Udogie* and *Dominic Solanke*.
Written for “Tottenham Injury Update” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 3925 · logged 2026-09-04
Kulusevski revealed earlier this week that he had returned to full-team training more than a year after he last played for Spurs during their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2025.
uncertain
he → reveal → May
His rehabilitation has, however, taken a minor step back, with De Zerbi revealing a small issue had prevented him from taking part in training with the rest of the squad in recent days.
asserted
issue → take → days
“Kulusevski started [training] with us at the beginning of the week, and then the last two days, a small, small problem, stopped [him from training],” De Zerbi said.
asserted
Zerbi → start → him
“But I think he’s in a good way.
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he → think → way
It’s going very well.
asserted
It → go → ?
I already said the medical staff is very high level.
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staff → say → ?
I’m looking forward to having Deki in the squad.”
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I → look → squad
After a spate of long-term injuries derailed Spurs’ campaign last season, De Zerbi has been cautious not to take risks with the fitness of several first-team players.
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Zerbi → derail → players
Kulusevski has been eased back into training, alongside the now-fit-again Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke, but the head coach was clear that the issue the 26-year-old picked up was not a concern.
asserted
old → ease → Udogie
Nothing of importance,” he added.
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he → add → importance
Despite being eased back to action towards the end of last season, Maddison endured a disrupted pre-season before suffering a shoulder fracture on the opening weekend of the season against Brentford.
asserted
Maddison → ease → Brentford
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The 29-year-old was not involved against Charlton or Newcastle, and De Zerbi says he does not expect him to be involved in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
“I think no, because after two days after the problem with Brentford and another two weeks out, it’s not the right moment.”
asserted
it → read → Brentford
