​Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Coventry City: Confirmed Team News and Predicted LineupTottenham vs Coventry: Kulusevski Return Gives Spurs Timely LiftTottenham finally have Dejan Kulusevski back in the picture, and after more than 500 days out, that matters. Spurs need bodies, quality and a bit of belief. They get all three with the Sweden international returning to the bench for Monday night’s Premier League meeting with Coventry.Kulusevski has not played since May 2025 after a serious kneecap injury that required two operations. It has been a long road back, and there is no point pretending otherwise. He travelled to Old Trafford last weekend, although he did not make the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, and he has kept training with the first team since. Now he is ready to be involved.Roberto De Zerbi confirmed it plainly: “Yes, Kulusevski [will be] on the bench. We had a meeting with the medical staff, they gave the okay and it’s great news.”Photo IMAGOKulusevski return boosts Tottenham optionsThat is the headline for Spurs. They are still looking for their first Premier League win of the season, so any positive news carries weight. Kulusevski’s return gives De Zerbi another creative option, even if only from the bench to begin with.There are still enough absences to keep things awkward. Pedro Porro is not ready yet after the hamstring injury he picked up in the 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa. The expectation is that he will target next weekend’s game against Chelsea. Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended after his red card against Manchester United, while Savio and Lucas Bergvall are also ruled out through injury.Chelsea loanee Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable with an ankle ligament problem. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are still long-term absentees. It is a familiar list, and it explains why Tottenham have looked short of rhythm and short of solutions.James Maddison decision could shape Coventry clashThe big call for De Zerbi is James Maddison. He has not started a Premier League game since April 2025, largely because fitness has kept getting in the way. A shoulder fracture suffered in the 3-0 loss to Brentford on the opening weekend disrupted this season, after knee surgery had already wrecked much of the last one.He did well off the bench at Old Trafford and Tottenham need craft between the lines. That makes him a serious candidate to start against Coventry. If Spurs are going to break a habit of slow, flat attacking play, Maddison is the obvious place to look.Tottenham predicted XI vs CoventryKinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali; Maddison, Kudus, Marmoush; SolankeInjured: Simons, Odobert, Mudryk, Porro, Savio, BergvallSuspended: BentancurKick-off is 8pm BST on Monday October 19 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. For Tottenham, the equation is simple. They do not need sentiment around Kulusevski’s comeback. They need points.