Thomas Frank will not push oft-injured Tottenham Hotspur star Dominic Solanke too far
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has moved to calm concerns around Dominic Solanke’s long-running ankle issue, offering clarity on the striker’s recovery while insisting Spurs will not rush him back into action prematurely.
Solanke, who has been battling the injury since the summer, underwent ankle surgery in September. Although expectations were high that the England international might return shortly after the last international break, the 28-year-old remains without a single start this season as he continues his rehabilitation.
Frank previously hinted at a post-break return, but ahead of the North London Derby, the tone shifted. The Dane gave a more measured, and at times deliberately vague, update, emphasising caution rather than urgency.
Speaking via Football.London, Frank said he is “pretty sure” Solanke will be back soon and reassured supporters that another operation is not expected. But he stressed that Spurs will not force the issue.
“We are very aware of how we do things — when do we really push and when do we not push. Now we are in a place where we think he will go forward, and we’ll take it from there.”
In other words, Tottenham will not gamble with a player whose ankle problems have repeatedly flared up. The message is simple that Solanke will return only when his body says he is ready.
While Solanke’s comeback remains on hold, Spurs have received a welcome lift elsewhere in attack. Randal Kolo Muani, who fractured his jaw against Manchester United, has now trained wearing a protective mask and is expected to be available for the Arsenal clash.
Frank confirmed the news himself, adding that Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are both fit and ready to feature, a badly needed injection of energy and depth ahead of a massive fixture.
With Solanke sidelined, Kolo Muani’s timely availability gives Tottenham the dynamism and press-resistant running they have missed in certain phases this season.
Frank is making the right call and Spurs must break the cycle of rushing injured stars
Tottenham’s history is littered with rushed returns, Harry Kane, Cristian Romero, Erik Lamela, Rodrigo Bentancur, all pushed back slightly too soon at various points, often resulting in setbacks that hurt both player and club. Thomas Frank appears intent on breaking that pattern.
His refusal to give firm timelines on Solanke may frustrate fans looking for clarity, but it is exactly the approach Spurs need if they want a fully firing centre-forward later in the season. Solanke’s injury record is no secret, and Tottenham cannot afford another stop-start recovery.
Frank’s transparency about when to push and when not to push is refreshing. It shows a manager thinking long-term rather than scrambling for short-term fixes, something Tottenham have struggled with in past eras.
Meanwhile, the return of Kolo Muani is a much-needed spark, and the idea of him featuring, mask and all, adds a real edge to tomorrow’s derby. Frank may not be saying much, but he’s managing the situation exactly as a modern Spurs boss should.