Thomas Frank Urges Spurs Fans to be Patient with Dominic Solanke After Return from Injury

Thomas Frank has asked Tottenham fans for patience as Dominic Solanke edges closer to a return from injury.

The Spurs boss admitted the club-record signing is still short of match sharpness after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Solanke, signed for £65 million, has not played since August after undergoing ankle surgery and is working his way back following four months on the sidelines.

While Frank says the England forward is progressing, the Tottenham head coach has been open about the reality of his current condition.

Dominic Solanke fitness update

Speaking after training, Frank acknowledged that Solanke is showing encouraging signs on the ball but is yet to rediscover the intensity required in competitive situations.

“Today you could see in training that he’s nice and composed on the ball, good decisions, good touches,” Frank said.

“And then when we’re a little bit more competitive in the small-sided games, he is of course lacking sharpness and he looked a little rusty, which is completely normal.”

Solanke last featured in Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester City on August 25, having picked up the injury during pre-season before opting for surgery in September.

Frank confirmed the striker will not be involved against Bournemouth on Wednesday night, though there is hope he could return later this month.

“Of course, it will take a little bit of time,” Frank added. “Even if he’s ready in the near future, I think you’ll be surprised to see him hit the ground running. Very few players do that.”

Tottenham’s attacking problems

Spurs’ need for Solanke is clear. They have failed to score from open play in four of their last five Premier League matches and sit 13th in the table after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland, a result that prompted boos at the final whistle.

Despite their position, Tottenham are only four points off Chelsea in fifth, showing just how tight the table is. But the lack of cutting edge has become a growing concern, particularly with Solanke sidelined.

Thomas Frank comments on his future

Recent managerial upheaval elsewhere – including Chelsea’s dismissal of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day and Manchester United sacking Ruben Amorim on Monday – has inevitably led to speculation on the Spurs manager.

Frank, however, insists he is not worried about his position.

The Dane was interviewed by both Chelsea and United in May 2024 and used the moment to stress the importance of long-term alignment between ownership, leadership and head coach.

“It’s very difficult to achieve sustainable success if you change key personnel,” Frank said. “If you think you have the right ones and you’re aligned, you need to do it over a long time.

“The best clubs, they are aligned – ownership, leadership, and head coach – over time, and you keep the noise out, and you look at the progress behind it.

“It goes up and down, and hopefully over time, more and more up. Then you achieve something big together. The three biggest, latest examples of that, of course, are Liverpool, City, and Arsenal.”

For now, Spurs’ immediate focus is Bournemouth away on Wednesday night. Solanke will not feature, and Frank’s message to supporters is clear: patience will be required before Tottenham’s main striker is back to his best.