Roberto De Zerbi has said that Mykhailo Mudryk is in contention to make his Tottenham debut against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Spurs swooped to sign Mudryk on loan on transfer deadline day, with a £75million option to buy next summer, after failing to find the back of the net in either of their first two league games.

The 25-year-old winger was included in Spurs’ Premier League squad this week but has not played a competitive match since November 2024, having only returned from a doping ban in July.

Mudryk had initially been handed the maximum four-year ban by the FA after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.

But after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the FA confirmed in July that the case had been resolved and Mudryk could return to action immediately.

After his ban was lifted, Mudryk flew out and featured for Chelsea as they rounded off their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia.

The Ukrainian is still working his way back to full match fitness, but is ready to face Forest on Saturday.

Asked if Mudryk could come off the bench in the final 15-20 minutes, De Zerbi replied:

"He needs time to be able to start,” De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon

“To play one part of the game, he's ready right now to play 15-20 minutes.”

While manager of Brighton, De Zerbi tipped Mudryk, whom he worked with at Shakhtar Donetsk, to win the Ballon d’Or.

On those comments, De Zerbi sought to downplay his prediction and said it was important not to put too much pressure on his former protege.

“We spent a very particular season together at Shakhtar. When I spoke about the Ballon d'Or I was very clear. I was speaking about the potential of the player.

"The player can respect the prediction or not. He has had plenty of problems, most recently the ban. He has plenty of qualities though and he needs to feel this season in the right way, not too much pressure. It's the right time for him to show why Chelsea spent 100m on him. I think he's ready to play part of the game."