Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says both Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski are still unavailable ahead of game against Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has been unfortunate regarding the injury situation since walking into the club.
Before even starting his job at Spurs, Thomas Frank was without the services of Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin due to serious injuries sustained last season. Then came the pre-season tour of Asia and he lost James Maddison to an ACL injury.
And since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, Tottenham have lost several players to injury problems. Like last season, the injury issues are having a direct impact on the performance levels. Not having key players in certain positions has hurt Thomas Frank’s side, especially in the attacking unit.
Dominic Solanke has been one of the forwards sidelined for some time now. He has been battling an ankle injury since the start of the summer and underwent a minor surgery in October. Although expectations were high that the 28-year-old might return to action after the November international break, he has remained out with just two appearances to his name this season.
Thomas Frank gives latest injury updates on Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski
Solanke has played just 31 minutes of football this campaign thus far, which is extremely frustrating for him as well as Thomas Frank. As far as Dejan Kulusevski is concerned, he has been sidelined since May following the knee injury that he picked up against Crystal Palace. The creative midfielder underwent a patella surgery that forced him to miss the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.
The Swedish international said in mid-September that he’d most likely return to action before the end of 2025. Our fans were encouraged earlier this month after watching him train with a Spurs coach in Dubai over the past international break.
Frank was addressing the media ahead of Tottenham’s game against Fulham on Saturday. When asked to give an injury update on both Solanke and Kulusevski and how frustrating it has been without their services, the Danish tactician refused to get drawn on exactly when the pair will return to action.
“It’s part of it. We get judged when we walk into a fantastic club like this. There are expectations every day, on every performance. That’s part of the game. No problem with that,” Frank was quoted by Football London.
“I’d love to have them ready to play for us, but they’re unavailable, other players need to step up. It’s much easier to say they’re in, when available, rather than put a timeframe on it.”
Solanke and Kulusevski’s return to fitness cannot come any sooner
Solanke and Kulusevski proved key players in Tottenham’s Europa League triumph last season, even though the latter could not participate in the final against Man United due to knee operation. The duo made valuable contributions throughout the European campaign and helped the north Londoners end their 17-year-long wait for silverware.
So, their absences for a new head coach rebuilding the squad was always going to hurt Tottenham. In a team that is struggling to create chances and score goals, not having Solanke and Kulusevski on the pitch must be pricking Frank.
It is understandable why the club’s medical department are being extra cautious with both attackers. They do not want to rush the duo back into action, only for them to suffer a relapse of their injury problems. A fully fit and firing Solanke and Kulusevski would make huge difference in the team’s attack, so it is fine that Frank and the medical team are gradually taking steps with their recovery.