Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Dejan Kulusevski is in line to return from injury in next week’s Europa League quarter-final second leg with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Sweden international has been out since the start of March with a foot injury, and he was again absent on Thursday night, as Spurs drew 1-1 with Frankfurt in the first leg of their last-eight European clash.
Postecoglou has said that Kevin Danso will again be a doubt for the second leg, but the expectation is that Kulusevski will be available, which would be a major boost for the North London club.
“Touch and go, the idea with Deki and Kevin Danso is they are due to start training with the team probably early next week. I don’t think they are a possibility to start but Kulusevski has a chance to be involved,” the Tottenham boss told reporters on Thursday night.
Kulusevski has been in strong form for Spurs during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 10 goals and registering 10 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions, including one goal and two assists in eight Europa League fixtures.
Kulusevski could return for Tottenham against Frankfurt next week
Hugo Ekitike, who is currently being linked with a big-money move to the Premier League, sent Frankfurt ahead in the sixth minute of Thursday’s clash, before Pedro Porro levelled for Spurs in the 26th minute.
“On any other night we go away with a comfortable victory. We have to go there and we knew it would get decided in the second tie. If we repeat that performance we give ourselves a chance,” Postecoglou added after the match.
“I don’t expect the second game to be to open, it’ll be cagey affair and it’ll come down to moments.
“The second leg is going to be tight for sure, it might even go to extra-time, we’re going to need all the lads ready to go. The good thing is we have most of them back and healthy which is important.”
What is Tottenham’s route to the Europa League final?
Should Spurs manage to advance into the semi-finals of the Europa League, then they would take on either Bodo/Glimt or Lazio, with the former currently holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
A success in the final four would see Tottenham advance to the final, where either Manchester United, Lyon, Athletic Bilbao or Rangers would be their opponents at San Mames in Bilbao on May 21.
Spurs have struggled in the Premier League this season, sitting down in 14th spot in the table, but winning the Europa League would see them secure a spot in the group stage of the 2025-26 Champions League.
