Dejan Kulusevski’s international teammate and Premier League rival Yasin Ayari has given the latest on his injury recovery.Kulusevski is now nearing 500 days out of action after suffering a knee injury in May 2025 that has seen him sidelined.Kulusevski has not played a game since May 2025 amid a long, gruelling recovery, but he is now getting closer to a return to actionGettyThe Tottenham midfielder has been through multiple setbacks, missing an entire season and a World Cup with Sweden.But Brighton‘s Ayari has lauded his good friend and teammate for his mental strength during his ‘not normal’ recovery period.Kulusevski finally returned to Spurs training earlier this month and has been back alongside his teammates this week.It marked an incredible feat to work his way back and it seems that he is closing in on long-awaited return to action.When could Kulusevski return?Speaking to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen, Ayari admitted he didn’t know any specifics but that he is making progress.Ayari said: “He has started training and is making progress. I’m happy for him, that he can come back and do what he loves. “I just hope things will go well when he’s 100 per cent.”“I don’t know [when he will be back]. I don’t see him every day,” he added. “We’ve all missed him in the national team. Hopefully soon.“It’s hard for me to say [if he’ll be match fit soon]. I don’t see him every day, I only talk to him. I hope soon. “He’s back on the training pitch, so step by step we hope he’ll be back. When he’s back, he’ll be 100 per cent.”Kulusevski is back in Spurs training and is nearing a comeback, with Ayari positive when giving the latest on his Sweden teammateGettySweden manager Graham Potter opted not to select Kulusevski in his squad for the three-week international break.Potter was keen for him to reintegrate at Tottenham first before considering bringing him back to the national set-up.Ayari hails ‘incredible’ KulusevskiAyari also discussed his envy for Kulusevski’s mentality after going through such a long period away from football.“He has always been fit and taken care of his body,” the 22-year-old said. “It’s mostly mental, seeing how mentally strong he has been during this process.“That he has managed to have a smile on his face even when it has taken so long. There have always been setbacks, but he always wakes up happy.”“It’s incredible how strong he has been during this journey,” he added. “There aren’t many people who can wake up and keep fighting when they’ve been through so much.Ayari has hailed Kulusevski for his mental strength throughout his time on the sidelinesGetty“He keeps fighting and is happy at the same time. When it comes to that, it’s not normal. “He’s very strong mentally. I learn a lot from it.”