Dominic Solanke's availability for Tottenham Hotspur's upcoming Champions League match against Bodo/Glimt is in serious doubt after he missed another training session. The England forward was absent from training on Monday morning in Enfield, raising concerns about his fitness.
Solanke has been struggling with a troublesome ankle injury since pre-season. He last played for Spurs on August 23 in a match against Manchester City. Although he had recently returned to training, his continued absence casts doubt on his readiness for the Champions League clash.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank had previously downplayed concerns about Solanke's fitness, stating that he was "progressing" and had returned to light training. He also mentioned that Solanke was "back on the grass" for a few days and moving "forward - slowly, but forward". However, the player's failure to participate in open training before the team's flight to Norway suggests the injury is still a concern. Frank had said prior to the Wolves game that Solanke's ankle injury was "a little bit tricky" but "nothing big" and that they were "relatively positive that it will be relatively quick". He also noted that Solanke had been "running a lot and actually done a lot, so he's in a fine-ish place" but that it would "take a few weeks to get up to a good place".
Adding to Tottenham's attacking concerns, Randal Kolo Muani also missed training due to a dead leg. Kolo Muani has missed the last three games with the leg injury. Muani's dead leg has been "dragging on" and is "a little bit annoying" according to Frank. Ben Davies, who had been dealing with a minor knee issue, did participate in the training session. Summer recruit Kota Takai also featured after recovering from a plantar fascia problem. Yves Bissouma was also back in training.
Solanke's absence would leave Tottenham short of attacking options for the Champions League match. The 28-year-old striker made a £55 million move from Bournemouth to Spurs in the summer of 2024. In his first season with the club, he scored 16 goals in 45 appearances. This season, however, he has only made three appearances in all competitions, all as a substitute. He came on as a 72nd-minute substitute in Tottenham's UEFA Super Cup defeat by Paris Saint-Germain and was limited to similar cameos in the opening two Premier League games against Burnley and Manchester City.
Tottenham has enjoyed a positive start to the season under Thomas Frank and are currently third in the Premier League. They fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point at Brighton, ensuring they have only lost once in the league all season.
