Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach Thomas Frank provided an update on Dominic Solanke’s recovery following his minor ankle surgery on October 1, emphasizing a cautious approach as the team prepares for their upcoming match against Aston Villa. Frank stated that he is evaluating Solanke’s progress “day by day and week by week,” aiming to avoid rushing the England international back into play after his lengthy absence from the field.
Solanke had previously been sidelined for most of pre-season due to an ankle injury before making a brief return as a substitute during Tottenham’s UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. He then played in the opening two Premier League matches, but has not featured since the team’s 2-0 victory at Manchester City on August 23. As he resumes individual training following his surgery, Frank expressed optimism about Solanke’s progress while acknowledging the need for patience, given that he has largely been away from team training since July.
While the news regarding Solanke remains cautiously optimistic, Frank also highlighted the positive contributions of other players. Mathys Tel recently shone as a central striker, scoring an opening goal in Spurs’ 2-1 win against Leeds United, and he has continued his impressive form with France’s Under-21s. Richarlison, who has netted three goals in five league starts this season, also performed for Brazil during the international break.
In terms of squad dynamics, Randal Kolo Muani, who joined Tottenham on a loan from PSG, is progressing well after a dead leg and is expected to make his league debut on Sunday, having trained with the squad for two weeks. Frank remarked on Kolo Muani’s improvement, reinforcing the positive developments within the squad.
However, not all news is encouraging, as Yves Bissouma suffered an ankle ligament injury while on international duty with Mali, which will see him sidelined for several weeks. Bissouma has yet to make an appearance for Spurs this season due to disciplinary reasons, further compounding the challenges the team faces.
As Tottenham prepares for their next match, the focus will remain on managing player recovery and ensuring a robust competitive squad, highlighting the importance of both immediate performance and long-term player health. The recent updates reflect a mixture of hopeful recovery tales amidst some setbacks, exemplifying the unpredictable nature of football.