As Tottenham Hotspur prepares for a crucial Champions League encounter against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, the team’s preparations have been hit with a significant setback.
The club is facing a double injury concern that threatens to disrupt their plans and test the depth of the squad for this important European fixture.
The most prominent absence continues to be that of striker Dominic Solanke. The forward has now been sidelined for over a month, having last played in the notable victory over Manchester City earlier in the campaign.
His ongoing recovery from an ankle injury meant he was unavailable for selection during the team’s recent Premier League draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His continued absence was further confirmed when he was not seen training with the main first-team squad during their final session ahead of the trip to Norway.
This strongly suggests that he will play no part in the match against Bodo/Glimt, leaving a noticeable gap in the team’s attacking options.
The situation with Solanke is particularly puzzling for the club and its supporters. Manager Thomas Frank recently provided an update, attempting to clarify the nature of the problem.
He was quick to reassure everyone that the injury is not a “big” one and confirmed that there is no ligament damage, which is a positive sign in the long term.
However, he also admitted that the medical team has found the issue to be somewhat complex to diagnose and treat effectively.
Frank explained that while some injuries, like a calf strain or a hamstring pull, are straightforward to understand and manage, Solanke’s ankle problem has proven to be “a little more tricky.”
This description indicates a frustrating lack of a clear timeline for his return, as the club works to find a solution for this persistent issue.
Compounding the problem of Solanke’s absence is another injury worry that has emerged. While specific details about the second player are still developing, the fact that the team is dealing with more than one fitness concern at the same time presents a real challenge.
Managing a squad through the intense schedule of both domestic and European competitions is a difficult balancing act, and injuries are an unfortunate part of that reality.
Having multiple players unavailable for a single match forces the manager to reconsider his tactical approach and rely on other members of the squad to step up and fill the void.
This double injury blow comes at a critical moment in Tottenham’s European campaign. Every match in the group stage carries significant weight, and securing a positive result away in Norway is vital for building momentum.
The absence of a key attacker like Solanke, paired with another fresh fitness concern, means that other players will need to rise to the occasion.
It places additional pressure on the remaining fit forwards and midfielders to provide the goals and creativity needed to overcome a determined Bodo/Glimt side. For the manager, it is a test of his squad’s resilience and depth.
For the fans, it is a tense waiting game, hoping the team can overcome these obstacles and secure a much-needed victory on the European stage. The focus now shifts to how the team adapts and who will seize this opportunity to make a decisive impact.
