The 26-year-old has not played a competitive minute since undergoing knee surgery in May 2025, a lengthy recovery that has been complicated by subsequent setbacks along the way. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed recently that Kulusevski is back in full training with his club teammates, though he is yet to make his first appearance of the season.
Potter said there is a real possibility Kulusevski could be included in Sweden's squad for this month's Nations League fixtures, while stressing that nothing has been decided.
"He's actually very close. I'm so impressed with him, with how he's handled his injury," Potter told SVT Sport. The Sweden manager was clear, however, that any decision would need to involve Tottenham directly. "We obviously have to be careful with him," he said, adding that discussions with the club and player still need to take place before a recall is confirmed.
Potter did not hold back when asked what Kulusevski means to the national team.
"He's a world-class player," he said.
The midfielder has scored 25 goals and provided 30 assists in 146 competitive appearances for Tottenham since joining the club, and has added five goals in 45 caps for Sweden. His prolonged absence has been keenly felt by both club and country, making any prospective return, however carefully managed, a significant boost as Sweden look to build momentum in this international window.
Kulusevski last featured for Tottenham in a Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2025, and his subsequent knee problems also cost him a place at this summer's World Cup. Sweden begin their Nations League campaign at home to Romania on September 25, with Potter expected to name his squad in the coming days.
Should Kulusevski be included, it would mark his first involvement with the national team since his injury, a recovery that has stretched to almost 500 days and included further complications along the way that repeatedly pushed back his hoped-for return date.