Mohammed Kudus nears Tottenham return after lengthy injury lay-off

Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus is nearing a return to action for Tottenham Hotspur after entering the final stages of his rehabilitation from a long-term quadriceps injury, head coach Roberto De Zerbi has said.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since January after suffering the injury during Tottenham's Premier League match against Sunderland.

Kudus was initially expected to return within three months, but a setback in his recovery delayed his comeback and ultimately forced him to undergo surgery.

The extended lay-off ruled him out of Ghana's 2026 World Cup campaign in North America and kept him on the sidelines for several more months.

He resumed light individual training at the start of August and has made steady progress since then.

"Kudus is almost ready; that is a big point for us," De Zerbi said.

The Tottenham manager stressed that the club would not rush the forward back into action despite his encouraging recovery.

"It's important also the management of the players; when the players have some problem, we have to stay calm, don't take risks," he added.

If his rehabilitation continues as planned, Kudus could make his return before the next international break, which begins after Tottenham's home Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on 19 September.

Spurs are due to face Nottingham Forest on 5 September and Everton on 12 September before hosting Villa.