Thomas Frank may be able to bring Tottenham’s overlooked star back into action at the ideal moment for the clash with Arsenal.

Thomas Frank has had to cope with several injuries throughout the early stages of the 2025/26 campaign, and that has contributed to Tottenham’s inconsistent form. Their 2–2 draw with Manchester United before the international break left Spurs sitting fifth in the Premier League with five wins, three draws and three defeats from their 11 matches. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Drăgușin have yet to feature this season because of injuries, while Frank has also spent long stretches without Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Archie Gray.

Solanke, who many believe is ideally suited to Frank’s setup, has made just three appearances this season, totalling only 49 minutes. An ankle issue disrupted most of his pre-season, and the striker underwent minor surgery in late September to resolve the problem. As a result, he has not led the line for nearly three months. Solanke arrived from Bournemouth last summer for £65 million, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists in his debut season, though there was a feeling he still had more to offer.

Frank has been forced to turn to Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani in his absence, but there is optimism that Solanke could return after the international break. Speaking at the end of October, Frank said they were being cautious to ensure Solanke’s recovery stayed on track, confirming he would not be available before the break. He offered another update last week, saying the two-week pause would be crucial for pushing Solanke into the next stage of his rehabilitation and that all focus was now on getting him ready for after the international fixtures.

As things stand, Spurs hope Solanke will be back in the squad for the North London Derby against Arsenal on Sunday, November 23. Tottenham then face PSG away three days later before hosting Fulham on November 29. With nine matches across all competitions between the end of November and the end of December, Frank will want as many players available as possible. Solanke may not start against the league leaders, but he could still make a meaningful impact from the bench.

Ultimately, Solanke’s readiness will depend on how he performs in training over the next week. But Tottenham expect to have him back shortly — and his return could hardly come at a better moment.