Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke says there remains uncertainty over when he will be able to return from injury.
Solanke has been restricted to just three substitute appearances this season, all coming in August, having also endured fitness troubles during pre-season.
The striker suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury, which was originally described as “nothing big” by head coach Thomas Frank in September, but Solanke then underwent surgery and has been sidelined since.
Frank was asked at the beginning of November whether fans could expect to see Solanke back on the pitch before the end of 2025, to which he replied: “I do hope so.”
Dominic Solanke reacts during the UEFA Super Cup 2025 football match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“It’s been very difficult,” Solanke told The Athletic. “At first, I didn’t think I would be out for too long but we didn’t really understand the extent of the injury. I was trying to get back as quickly as I could but it didn’t happen, so I had to have surgery.
“Since then, I have been working to get back.
“I’m not putting a timeline on it because I’ve been telling everyone ‘I’m going to be back soon’ for the last few months. I’m taking it day by day but hopefully it won’t be much longer.”
He added: “I haven’t had the chance to work with [Frank] too much but he is a great man manager. All the players are loving having him around. He speaks with us all and has meetings every day. Even with the coaching staff he has brought in, everyone gets on so well. It’s a great environment.
“We have had a good start to the season. When a few of us come back (from injury) and strengthen the squad, hopefully we can do some big things.”
Solanke will again be absent this weekend as Spurs put their impressive away form to the test against north London rivals and title favourites Arsenal. The England forward will be one of as many as 12 possible absentees for Spurs ahead of their toughest match of the season.
