Tottenham Hotspur star Dominic Solanke to undergo ankle surgery
Thomas Frank is set to manage in only his second ever game in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, as he takes his team to Norway to face Bodo/Glimt.
Spurs make the long journey to the Arctic Circle to face Bodo/Glimt in matchday two of the Champions League’s league phase, and Thomas Frank will be hoping his side can build momentum by making it back-to-back wins in Europe, having edged Villarreal 1-0 at home.
The Danish tactician must be eager to see a rousing response from his boys after they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. The Lilywhites were staring at a second league defeat of the season, only for Joao Palhinha to score the equaliser from outside the box in stoppage time and salvage a point.
Tottenham suffer big blow ahead of Bodo/Glimt clash
Addressing the media, Frank delivered an injury update on Dominic Solanke. He confirmed that the striker will undergo a minor ankle surgery.
Dominic Solanke missed the majority of pre-season with an ankle issue, but it appeared to be fixed by the start of August as he played against Paris St-Germain, Burnley and Manchester City. The Englishman, who last played in a Spurs shirt in the 2-0 win over Manchester City, was absent from training again on Monday. This means he has not made an appearance for Tottenham since before the September international break.
Frank had revealed a couple of weeks ago that Solanke was getting closer to a return, which was a positive update for everyone associated with the club. However, the Dane has now disclosed that the 28-year-old was still experiencing some discomfort in his ankle area and that they decided to opt for surgery.
“Dom has got that ankle issue that’s been bothering him for a little while so now it’s time to make a minor surgery,” Frank stated in his pre-match press conference.
“It’s a small procedure, so that will mean he’s not ready for (tomorrow). We will have more news about timeframes after the international break but I don’t expect it to be long.”
Frank must manage Richarlison well
Solanke undergoing a minor ankle injury was the right decision taken by the medical team but it rules him out for the foreseeable future. It is a big blow because with the Englishman now set for a spell on the sidelines, Kolo Muani still not fully fit and Mathys Tel not registered in the 22-man Champions League squad, Frank has to once again rely on Richarlison to lead his team’s attack.
Richarlison does deserve to start against Bodo/Glimt after his early form in the season. But, the north Londoners have not had the chance to rest the Brazilian striker, and given his patchy injury record since arriving at the club, Frank must manage his fitness and minutes carefully.
