Dominic Solanke has now given an honest update on his injury recovery and the mood in the Tottenham Hotspur camp.
Thomas Frank is currently navigating a difficult injury crisis at Tottenham Hotspur, with more than ten players sidelined because of various physical issues.
The Dane will be hoping for some form of relief following the November international break as Tottenham prepare to face Arsenal, especially with several key players pushing to return to full fitness at Hotspur Way.
Dominic Solanke had been tipped for a possible return in the coming weeks, although the striker has now addressed his situation, choosing not to put a fixed date on when he expects to be involved again.
Dominic Solanke on injury setback and recovery update
Solanke has been battling with injury problems since pre-season and has managed only a handful of minutes in competitive action, coming off the bench briefly during Tottenham’s matches in August.
He has been managing an ankle problem and even underwent surgery, yet he is still working individually and has not been able to return to full training on the grass at Hotspur Way.
Speaking about a potential return, he revealed the emotional and physical toll his recovery has taken, explaining how the initial diagnosis proved misleading and how surgery became necessary.
He told The Athletic: “It has been very difficult. At first, I did not think I would be out for too long but we did not really understand the extent of the injury.
“I was trying to get back as quickly as I could but it did not happen, so I had to have surgery. Since then, I have been working to get back.
“I am not putting a timeline on it because I have been telling everyone ‘I am going to be back soon’ for the last few months. I am taking it day by day but hopefully I will not be much longer.”
Spurs’ forward options are thin as Dominic Solanke remains sidelined
This all but rules Dominic Solanke out of this weekend’s north London derby against Arsenal, as Frank’s options in the centre-forward role continue to look thin at a crucial stage of the season.
The Dane currently has Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Dane Scarlett as his senior options in that position, and he will be hoping to avoid further setbacks in that area of the pitch with fixtures piling up in the wake of Randal Kolo Muani’s fractured jaw.
Indeed, Solanke is a big miss for Tottenham, and given his profile and the way he links play, a return to full fitness will be a major boost for Frank, as he will be able to set up his side in more varied ways, an asset he has not had in the past few months..