Tottenham Injury Mudryk Out, Maddison Boost, Kulusevski Close

Mykhailo Mudryk ruled out for up to eight weeks with ankle injury as James Maddison returns to Tottenham training

Tottenham winger Mykhailo Mudryk has suffered an ankle injury in training and will be sidelined for at least six weeks, with eight weeks not ruled out. James Maddison has returned to team training and could face Everton. Dejan Kulusevski is close but not yet available.

Main injury: Mykhailo Mudryk (ankle) — out for a minimum of six weeks, potentially eight.
Potential Mudryk return: Leeds United away on November 7, 2026.
Maddison boost: Back in team training and pushing to be involved against Everton at home on September 12, 2026.
Kulusevski timeline: Nearing a comeback after more than 500 days out with a kneecap issue, but no firm date.
Long-term absentees: Xavi Simons (ACL) not expected back in 2026; Wilson Odobert (ACL) could return before the end of the year.
What’s at stake: Tottenham are still waiting for their first Premier League win under Roberto De Zerbi after defeats to Brentford and Newcastle and a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Injury and availability

Mykhailo Mudryk: Out with an ankle injury suffered in training. Minimum six weeks, eight weeks not ruled out. Potential return: Leeds United away on November 7, 2026.

James Maddison: Has returned to team training and is pushing to be involved against Everton. Potential return: Everton at home on September 12, 2026.

Dejan Kulusevski: Has been out for more than 500 days with a serious kneecap issue. Back on the training pitch and progressing, but there is no firm date for his return.

Xavi Simons: Will not return in 2026 after tearing his ACL against Wolves in April. Expected comeback in early 2027 if recovery stays on track.

Wilson Odobert: Slightly further along after his own ACL injury. Could potentially return before the end of the year.

What was said

"He's very close actually. I'm so impressed with him, how he's handled his injury."
— Dejan Kulusevski’s international manager, on the winger’s recovery

"Of course we have to be careful with him. I hope he comes with us, but we have to talk to Dejan and Tottenham first."
— Dejan Kulusevski’s international manager, on a potential call-up

Those comments are the clearest indication yet that Kulusevski is genuinely closing in on a return. The international manager is impressed by how the player has handled a gruelling rehabilitation, but the tone is deliberately cautious. Tottenham will have the final say on any call-up, and the club’s priority is a fully fit Kulusevski for the medium term rather than a rushed appearance now.

For Maddison, the boost is different. He has been absent since the opening weekend after suffering a broken shoulder against Brentford, which followed a long spell out with an ACL injury last season. His return to team training gives De Zerbi a creative option he has badly missed.

Why Mudryk’s absence hurts De Zerbi’s Tottenham

Mykhailo Mudryk arrived late in the window as one of Tottenham’s more curious signings — a player De Zerbi knows and one who clearly needed minutes after a long absence from competitive football. He had only just made his debut at the City Ground when this latest setback landed. For a player trying to recover rhythm, confidence and sharpness, six to eight weeks out is damaging.

Tactically, Mudryk’s absence removes one of the few wide options capable of stretching a game in transition. Tottenham have lacked control and invention in the final third, and without a genuine pace threat on the flank, opponents can squeeze the pitch and deny space behind. James Maddison helps with the control part, not the stretching part. He remains the obvious player to bring both invention and composure, and even a place on the bench against Everton would change the options available to De Zerbi.

Dejan Kulusevski would address the transition issue directly, but the caution around a 500-day absence is entirely justified. Tottenham need him fit for the medium term, not available for one hurried appearance. Until then, De Zerbi must find solutions from a squad that is short on bodies and shorter on wins.

Talking points

Should Tottenham throw Maddison straight into the starting XI against Everton, or ease him back from the bench given his injury history?
Is signing Mudryk looking like a mistake, given he arrived needing minutes and is now out for up to eight weeks?
Kulusevski’s international manager wants him called up — should Tottenham block that to protect a player out for 500 days?
With Simons out for 2026 and Odobert not certain before the year ends, do Spurs need another wide signing in January?

What happens next

Tottenham host Everton on September 12, 2026, with Maddison pushing to be involved. De Zerbi is still searching for his first Premier League win of the season after defeats to Brentford and Newcastle and a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest. The Everton game is already significant for the manager — and Maddison’s return could be the difference between more dropped points and a first victory.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mykhailo Mudryk injured and how long is he out?

Yes. Mudryk has picked up an ankle injury in training and will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks, with eight weeks not ruled out. His potential return date is Leeds United away on November 7, 2026.

Will James Maddison play against Everton?

Maddison has returned to team training and is pushing to be involved against Everton at home on September 12, 2026. Whether he starts is another matter.

When will Dejan Kulusevski return for Tottenham?

There is no firm date yet. Kulusevski is back on the training pitch and his international manager says he is very close, but Tottenham will not rush a player who has been out for more than 500 days.