The eagerly-anticipated return of playmaker Dejan Kulusevski will be like a "new signing" for Tottenham, according to head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Kulusevski has not played for Spurs since the end of the 2024-25 campaign due to a right patella injury, which has essentially put the career of the Sweden international on hold for 19 months and ruled him out of the summer World Cup.
There finally appears to be light at the end of the tunnel after Kulusevski returned to full training this week.
He first returned in August only to suffer a small setback, but the 26-year-old is back and whilst he is not ready to face Aston Villa on Saturday, a first comeback appearance could be on the horizon in October or November.
"We have to manage Deki in the best way we can, with the medical staff, physical staff, but it's a great thing for us," De Zerbi said. "He's a good player, he's a good guy and he deserves to play again.
"We have to work day by day, also for Deki it's important the international break because when he will be at the top of condition and pass over the injury, I think it's a great signing. A new signing for us, another new signing."
Kulusevski was arguably Spurs' best player during an injury-affected 2024-25 campaign before he missed the whole of last season due to this long-standing knee problem.
It was a similar story for James Maddison, who sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage last August before he returned ahead of schedule in May to help Tottenham stay in the Premier League.
Maddison's pre-season this time around has been hampered before a shoulder issue at Brentford on the opening day provided a further setback, but after an encouraging cameo in a 3-1 loss at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, the 29-year-old is primed for more minutes against Villa.
De Zerbi added: "Listen, James is working with the team in the last 10, 15 days. Maybe less than 15 days and even if he's a technical player, he needs to be fit, to stay in a good condition.
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"When he arrives to the best condition, it's very important for us as a personality, as a characteristic, as a quality, as an experience. The quality of his passes are different than the others."
Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali sat out Tuesday's defeat to Liverpool but are available for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
Spurs are winless and goalless in the Premier League after four matches. However, Villa are below them in the table in 19th with only one point.
De Zerbi said: "You have to stay calm, to be confident in what you are doing, what the players are doing. They have my full confidence."
