Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has spoken candidly about the mental challenge of his prolonged injury absence, while expressing optimism about both his personal comeback and the team's prospects under new manager Thomas Frank.
The Frustration of Rehabilitation
Dominic Solanke has described the past three months as "very difficult" after an ankle problem sidelined him following his club-record £65million transfer from Bournemouth in August 2024. The 28-year-old's start to the 2025/26 season was abruptly halted, with his last appearance being in the 2-0 win against Manchester City on August 23.
Initially believing the issue was minor, the extent of the injury soon became apparent. "I didn't think I would be out for too long but we didn't really understand the extent of the injury," Solanke confessed to The Athletic. His attempts at a swift return proved unsuccessful, ultimately leading to minor surgery at the end of September to resolve the persistent problem.
Road to Recovery and Cautious Optimism
Now focused on his rehabilitation, the former Liverpool and Chelsea forward is taking a more measured approach. He has been working in the gym to rebuild his strength and has consulted external specialists regarding the injury.
When pressed for a return date, Solanke remained deliberately vague. "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," he stated. "I'm taking it day by day but hopefully I won't be much longer." This cautious outlook means he will definitely miss the upcoming North London Derby against Arsenal and the Champions League fixture against PSG.
Looking Ahead with Thomas Frank's Spurs
Despite his limited time on the training pitch with the new boss, Solanke is impressed with the environment Thomas Frank has cultivated since his summer arrival from Brentford. He praised the manager's communication skills and the positive atmosphere among the squad and staff.
"I haven't had the chance to work with him too much but he is a great man manager," Solanke said. "All the players are loving having him around... It's a great environment." He believes that once the team's injured players, including himself, return to full fitness, Tottenham can achieve "big things" this season.
The injury list at Spurs remains substantial, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, and Ben Davies all still unavailable. There are also fitness concerns surrounding several other first-team players ahead of the crucial derby clash.
