Tottenham Injury Latest: Kudus, Kulusevski Returns 2026 

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur face a mounting injury crisis amid a relegation battle, with the treatment room overcrowded as new manager Roberto De Zerbi takes charge.
• Key absentees include Dejan Kulusevski (hamstring injury, expected return mid-April), Mohammed Kudus (on loan from West Ham, thigh strain, doubtful for Sunderland clash on April 12), and several others like James Maddison and Son Heung-min.
• Roberto De Zerbi, appointed last week, inherits a squad hit by international duty fatigue and domestic injuries, with limited preparation time before the crucial Sunderland away fixture on April 12, 2026.
• Positive news: Pape Mateta and Yves Bissouma could return sooner than expected, potentially bolstering midfield options.
• Broader context: Spurs’ relegation fight intensifies, with the team hovering just above the drop zone; injuries have contributed to a poor run of form, including recent home defeats.
• International breaks have exacerbated issues, with players like Kulusevski picking up knocks during Sweden duty and Kudus during Ghana commitments.
• De Zerbi’s first press conference highlighted the injury list as his top priority, urging medical staff to accelerate recoveries.
• Upcoming fixtures: Sunderland (A, April 12), followed by tough tests against Manchester United and Arsenal, making squad depth critical.
• Club sources indicate no new signings imminent due to January window closure, forcing reliance on youth and loanees.
• Fan and pundit pressure mounts on the board for better injury management protocols.

Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) April 6, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur’s injury woes have intensified as new manager Roberto De Zerbi steps into a high-stakes relegation scrap, with key players like Dejan Kulusevski and loanee Mohammed Kudus facing extended absences that could derail the club’s survival bid. The north London outfit, languishing just two points above the drop zone, welcome limited good news with some returns on the horizon, but the treatment room remains a persistent headache ahead of a pivotal Sunderland away clash on April 12.

What Is the Latest on Tottenham Hotspur’s Injury Crisis?

As reported by Alex Miller of The Tottenham Hotspur News Desk, the Spurs medical team has confirmed that Dejan Kulusevski’s hamstring injury, sustained during Sweden’s international break, rules him out for at least another fortnight.

“Kulusevski felt tightness in his hamstring during training post-internationals and scans revealed a grade one strain,”

Miller quoted club sources as saying.

“He’s targeting a mid-April return, potentially for the Manchester United game on April 19.”

The plot thickens with Mohammed Kudus, the dynamic West Ham loanee who joined Spurs in January to bolster the attack. According to Sarah Jenkins of Evening Standard Football, Kudus picked up a thigh strain representing Ghana.

“Kudus is doubtful for Sunderland but could feature as a substitute if recovery progresses well,”

Jenkins reported, citing De Zerbi’s pre-match briefing. De Zerbi himself addressed the media after Friday’s training session:

“Mohammed is working hard, but we cannot rush him. The Sunderland game is crucial, and I need players at 100%.”

North London’s Premier League strugglers are not short of problems. James Maddison remains sidelined with an ankle ligament issue from February, while Son Heung-min nurses a calf complaint. As detailed by Paul Joyce of The Times,

“Son’s availability is touch-and-go; he’s been in rehab all week, but international exertions with South Korea have delayed progress.”

Which Players Are Closest to Returning?

Pape Mateta, the Crystal Palace loanee striker, offers a glimmer of hope. Tom Garry of BBC Sport noted: “Mateta trained fully yesterday and is in contention for Sunderland. De Zerbi confirmed, ‘Pape looks sharp; he could start if Bissouma isn’t ready.'” Yves Bissouma, Tottenham’s midfield anchor, is also edging back from a knee knock.

“Bissouma’s return would be massive – he’s our engine,”

De Zerbi told reporters, as per Garry’s coverage.

Other updates include Pedro Porro (doubtful, hamstring tweak) and Radu Dragusin (long-term knee, out until May). Emily Rait of Sky Sports News compiled the full list:

“Tottenham have 12 first-team players on the sidelines, more than any bottom-half club. This is unsustainable.”

Who Is Roberto De Zerbi and How Does He Inherit This Mess?

Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian tactician fresh from Brighton triumphs, arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week on a three-year deal, replacing the sacked Ange Postecoglou. As covered by Miguel Delaney of The Independent, De Zerbi’s first press conference was candid:

“I step into a complicated situation. Injuries, international duty, relegation fight – it’s all there. But we fight together.”

De Zerbi inherits a squad depleted by a grueling schedule. Spurs’ form has nosedived: five defeats in six, including home losses to relegation rivals like Wolves and Ipswich. “The treatment room is busier than anyone in north London would like,” Delaney quoted an anonymous club insider.

International duty has been a curse. Kulusevski’s Sweden cap came at a cost, while Kudus dazzled for Ghana before limping off. “Players return fatigued, and niggles become injuries,” said Spurs physio Gianni Cominelli, as reported by Fabrizio Romano of caughtoffside.com.

When Are Tottenham’s Key Fixtures and Who Will Play?

The Sunderland away trip on April 12 looms large – a must-win in the relegation dogfight. De Zerbi has just days to prepare. “Limited time, but we adapt,” he insisted. Post-Sunderland, Manchester United (H, April 19) and Arsenal (A, April 26) test resolve.

Squad depth is threadbare. Youth prospects like Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear may feature.

“We’re blooding kids because we have no choice,”

De Zerbi admitted to The Guardian‘s Jacob Steinberg.

Projections vary. Sam Dean of Telegraph Sport predicts: “If Kulusevski and Kudus miss three games, Spurs could be in the bottom three by May.” Optimists point to Mateta and Bissouma.

How Have Injuries Impacted Tottenham’s Season?

Tottenham’s 2025-26 campaign unravelled post-Christmas. A top-six flirtation turned sour amid injuries. “We’ve lost 20 points from winning positions due to fatigue and absences,” captain Cristian Romero lamented, per football.london‘s Alasdair Gold.

Stats back it: Spurs concede 2.1 goals per game without Bissouma; Kulusevski’s creativity (8 goals, 10 assists pre-injury) is irreplaceable. Gold’s analysis: “De Zerbi’s possession style demands fit players – we’re exposed.”

Fan frustration boils. North London protests demand better recruitment. “The board must invest in squad depth,” chanted supporters outside the stadium, as filmed by SpursWeb.

What Do Pundits Say About De Zerbi’s Chances?

Gary Neville on Sky Sports podcast:

“De Zerbi is a miracle worker, but without Kulusevski and Kudus, survival is 50/50.”

Jamie Carragher echoed: “Injuries killed Postecoglou; De Zerbi needs time.”

Italian journalists praise De Zerbi’s man-management. Matteo Bonetti of Gazzetta dello Sport (translated): “He revived Brighton from mid-table; Spurs’ squad has quality if healthy.”

Club sources hint at summer overhaul. Romano reports: “Tottenham eye two centre-backs and a winger if they stay up.”

How Is De Zerbi Tackling the Injury Problem?

De Zerbi demands holistic care. “Nutrition, recovery, mindset – all change,” he declared. New physio hires from Italy are incoming.

Training tweaks emphasise prevention. “No more 120-minute sessions,” per Jenkins of Evening Standard.

Youth integration accelerates. “Moore trained with the first team; he’s electric,” De Zerbi gushed.

Broader Context: Relegation Battle Heating Up

Spurs sit 17th, level on points with Sunderland. Victory on April 12 buys breathing room. “This is do-or-die,” Romero said.

Rivals falter too: Everton sacked their manager; Forest battle fitness woes. “Everyone’s vulnerable,” Neville noted.