Extremely tough” – Dominic Solanke speaks candidly about his grueling injury spell at Tottenham, admitting he cannot yet give any definite timeline for his return.
Dominic Solanke has spoken candidly about his difficult spell on the sidelines as he continues to recover from a persistent ankle injury. The Tottenham striker has been limited to just three competitive appearances this season after picking up the problem in pre-season, with his last outing coming as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Manchester City in August.
Tottenham feeling Solanke’s absence
Spurs have been without their main striker while still trying to settle under Thomas Frank. They return to Premier League action on Sunday with a North London Derby at the Emirates, before facing Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League Super Cup rematch next week.
The team sits fifth after 11 league games but has faced criticism for their poor home form. Only Wolves have a worse record at home, despite Spurs boasting the best away form this season. They have scored 19 league goals, with Richarlison leading the charts on four—two of which came on the opening weekend.
Understanding the injury setback
Solanke will miss the upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and PSG, despite earlier suggestions from Frank that the injury was minor. The striker later underwent a “small procedure” and is now working his way back.
“It’s been very tough,” Solanke told The Athletic. “At first, I didn’t think I’d be out long, but we didn’t fully grasp how serious the injury was. I kept trying to return quickly but it wasn’t happening, so surgery became necessary. Since then, I’ve just been focused on getting back fit.
“I’m not setting a return date because I’ve been saying, ‘I’ll be back soon’ for months. I’m taking things day by day, but hopefully it won’t be too much longer.”
He is one of several attacking players currently sidelined, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both recovering from knee injuries, while Randal Kolo Muani is out with a fractured jaw.
Settling under Thomas Frank
Solanke has barely worked with Frank due to his injury but praised the manager’s impact. “I haven’t spent much time with him yet, but he’s a fantastic man-manager. All the players enjoy having him around. He talks to everyone, holds meetings every day, and the whole coaching staff gets along really well. It’s a great environment.”
He added that the squad will be stronger once the injured players return, and hopes the team can achieve big things this season.
Why he joined Spurs
Solanke, who arrived from Bournemouth in 2024, said his ambition was to win trophies. He played a key role in ending Tottenham’s 17-year wait for silverware by helping them lift the Europa League earlier this year.
He recalled the moment he realised they had beaten Manchester United in the final: “They had a goal kick, and I asked the referee what was happening. He said, ‘It’s done.’ When Onana kicked it, I thought, ‘Wow, we’ve actually done it.’ I was so happy, especially for Sonny, who had been at the club for so long. Then I went to celebrate with my family. It was the best feeling of my life.”
Tough schedule ahead
Spurs face a demanding run to end the year, with matches against Arsenal, PSG, Fulham, Newcastle, Brentford, Slavia Prague, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Crystal Palace as they attempt to close out 2025 on a strong note.
