Tottenham boss Thomas Frank provides latest Dominic Solanke injury update
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to enter the November international break on a high by beating Manchester United at home on Saturday.
Spurs responded well to the grim Chelsea defeat by sweeping aside FC Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night. There were plenty of positives to take from the game for Thomas Frank, as the Lilywhites ended a two-game losing run. However, they must be raring to build on that display when Manchester United visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham are still in the middle of an injury crisis, even though a couple of key players have returned to fitness lately. They were given a timely boost when Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert all featured on Tuesday after being sidelined, and the trio got through the game unscathed.
There are question marks hanging on the fitness of Mohammed Kudus, who missed the FC Copenhagen victory with a minor knock. Thomas Frank has said Kudus is facing a race against time to be fit for the Man United. In addition, he also gave an update on the fitness of a key player.
Thomas Frank delivers latest fitness update on Dominic Solanke
Tottenham have struggled in front of goal this season without Dominic Solanke. This is because the England international has been battling with persistent ankle problems since the start of summer. He missed the majority of the pre-season as a result. The striker has played just 31 minutes of football this campaign thus far, which is extremely frustrating for him as well as the coach.
Dominic Solanke decided to undergo a minor ankle surgery to treat the issue and has been out since October. Frank had previously suggested that the 28-year-old could be available after the break, but he has now provided a clearer update on the situation.
“I think the international break will be the big decider and we have two weeks to push him for the next steps,” Frank told the club’s official website.
“It is going forward. It was clear he was not ready before the international break. After is what we’re aiming for and you always want to get it right.”
It is understandable why Tottenham are being extra cautious with Solanke. They do not want to rush the striker back into action, only for him to suffer a relapse of the ankle problem. A fully fit and firing Solanke would make a huge difference in the Lilywhites’ attack, so it is good the gaffer and the medical team are gradually taking steps with his recovery.
With games set to come thick and fast after the November hiatus, Frank will want to have as many as players back fit and ready to go. The latest update on Solanke suggests his return isn’t imminent, meaning Frank will have to make do with Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel up top for the next few games at least.
