Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke is getting closer to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that the striker has returned to individual training as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
The 28-year-old can’t seem to catch a break from injury woes at Tottenham. Yet another setback has restricted him to just three appearances so far this season.
He hasn’t played for Spurs since coming off the bench against Manchester City last month and wasn’t even named in the squad for the last three fixtures.
Solanke’s ankle issues started in pre-season. He hasn’t been able to shake it off since, and it has affected his ability to build any momentum or nail down a starting role.
However, Tottenham fans have been handed some encouraging news this week. Solanke has returned to light training sessions on grass, although this weekend’s outing will come too soon for the striker.
“The positive thing is that he [Solanke] is back (training) on the grass,” Frank said in his pre-match media briefing ahead of the game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
“He’s been there for three, four days and progressing forward, slowly, but forward.
“It’s too early for him (at Brighton) tomorrow, too early for Doncaster [Rovers], but the positive is that he’s on the grass and progressing forward.”
With Solanke ruled out of the trip to the Amex Stadium and the EFL Cup tie next Wednesday, Frank will have to choose one of Richarlison, Mathys Tel, or Randal Kolo Muani to lead the line against Brighton.
Richarlison already has scored twice in four Premier League games so far, but was relegated to the bench in favour of Tel for the 3-0 win against West Ham United last time out.
He was restored to the starting line-up for the 1-0 win against Villarreal in the Champions League, so it’s anyone’s guess who Frank will choose to lead the line this weekend.