Tottenham Hotspur have decided to cut short Dane Scarlett’s loan spell at Oxford United, but it is not for the reason that many Spurs fans might think.
Tottenham are short of strikers following Solanke’s injury
The injury crisis continues to wreak havoc within the Tottenham squad with Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson among the most recent casualties to be sidelined.
Dominic Solanke’s latest knee injury comes as a major blow to Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou admitting Solanke will be out for a number of weeks.
This poses a real problem for the North Londoners, who are now short of natural options to play the central role in attack. Heung-min Son has struggled to lead the line when asked to do so, especially prior to the arrival of Solanke.
One way Tottenham could have added some extra firepower to recall Dane Scarlett back from his loan spell, a decision they made earlier on Monday.
Dane Scarlett will not fill the void left by Dominic Solanke
Oxford United have confirmed the 20-year-old will return to Hotspur Way after being recalled by the Lilywhites.
The striker ended his spell at the Kassam Stadium with four goals across 20 Championship appearances.
However, according to PA Sport reporter George Sessions, Spurs’ decsion to bring Scarlett back to the club was as a reaction to Solanke’s injury.
Sessions took to social media platform X to write: “Spurs have recalled Dane Scarlett, but told plan is to send him elsewhere on loan. Scarlett has been unused substitute in three of last six league matches after change of management at Oxford”
Spurs have recalled Dane Scarlett, but told plan is to send him elsewhere on loan. Scarlett has been unused substitute in three of last six league matches after change of management at Oxford #thfc https://t.co/FTTSHUlakv
— George Sessions (@GeorgeSessions) January 20, 2025
Instead, Tottenham have done so due to Scarlett’s struggles to get sufficient game time at Oxford. Sessions explains the club’s plan is to now loan the striker out to a different team for the second half of the season.
What does the future hold for Dane Scarlett at Spurs?
Unfortunately, Scarlett has not really kicked on over the last two years, having had a series of uninspiring loan spells at Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and now Oxford.
With other youngsters like Will Lankshear and Alejo Veliz also on the fringes of the first-team, and Spurs expected to further bolster their options upfront, time is running out for Scarlett to really push for a first-team spot.