Tottenham Hotspur are finally beginning to see light at the end of a long and difficult injury tunnel, with several key players expected to return before the end of 2025.
The news brings a much-needed lift for Thomas Frank, who has had to navigate the early stages of the season with a severely weakened squad. Much like the previous campaign under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have again been hit hard by fitness problems, losing important first-team players across every area of the pitch.
Some have been out since last season and are still working their way back after long-term injuries that carried over from Tottenham’s Europa League triumph in Bilbao.
One of the biggest absences has been Radu Dragusin. The Romanian defender suffered a devastating ACL rupture during Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Elfsborg back in January, and his recovery has been slow and carefully managed.
For months, Spurs have badly missed his physical presence and calmness at the back, especially during a season where defensive consistency has been difficult to find. But now, there is finally some encouraging news.
Dragusin played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient during the recent international break, a huge step forward in his rehabilitation and a sign that he is edging closer to full fitness.
His agent, Florin Manea, has now offered even more clarity, revealing that Dragusin is not only fit but also expected to return to regular action from December. Speaking on Romanian show Fanatik Superliga, Manea said the defender has worked incredibly hard during his recovery and is ready to take the next step.
According to him, Dragusin is already being eased into training by the coaching staff and is on track to be selected for competitive matches in December. Manea stressed that his client did not rush anything and that the ten-month recovery period has allowed him to rebuild both physically and mentally.
In fact, he suggested Dragusin now looks stronger and faster than before, describing him as a “Robocop” after watching recent footage of his training.
The defender’s return could not come at a better time for Tottenham, especially with the demanding fixture list ahead. But Dragusin is not the only player who could be back soon.
Dejan Kulusevski is also nearing a return, offering another major boost. The influential midfielder has been sorely missed, not just for his technical ability but also for the energy and creativity he brings to Spurs’ attack.
He remains one of the most important players in the squad, and getting him back will be a huge relief for Frank as Spurs try to build momentum during a crucial period.
Dragusin has also taken part in some training sessions with the Romanian national team during the recent international window, which shows how confident the medical team is in his progress. His personal target is to be fully ready for Romania’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Turkey in March.
If Romania manage to win in Istanbul, they will take on either Slovakia or Kosovo for a place at next summer’s World Cup finals, a challenge Dragusin is desperate to be part of. For now, though, his main focus is getting back to full strength with Tottenham and making sure he is fully prepared for the demands of Premier League and Champions League football.
Spurs have eased him back into full training in stages, gradually increasing his workload to make sure there are no setbacks. Dragusin is determined to make his comeback as soon as possible, and those around him say he has pushed himself to the limit during his rehabilitation.
His return will give Spurs more depth, more tactical options, and more stability at the back, something they have lacked during a challenging start to the season.
Tottenham return to action on Sunday when they travel to Arsenal for the North London Derby, one of the biggest and most emotionally charged fixtures of their season.
After that, they head to France to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League before facing Fulham and Newcastle in the league. With such an intense run of games ahead, the return of key players could make a huge difference.
For Thomas Frank, the hope is that Dragusin, Kulusevski, and eventually Dominic Solanke will all be available soon, strengthening the squad just when Spurs need it most.
