Tottenham Hotspur forward Dominic Solanke has endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines, having been troubled by an ankle injury that first surfaced during pre-season. The issue, which initially appeared minor, persisted despite conservative treatment, and medical specialists eventually deemed surgery necessary to properly resolve it. The operation was described as a “minor procedure,” but it has nonetheless kept the 28-year-old out of action for several weeks.

Solanke missed nearly all of Spurs’ pre-season friendlies, managing only light training sessions and a few cameo appearances in early competitive matches before his condition worsened. He was subsequently ruled out of Tottenham’s late August fixture against his former club Bournemouth and has not played since the 2-0 victory over Manchester City almost eight weeks ago.

Throughout September, manager Thomas Frank had expressed cautious optimism about Solanke’s recovery, telling reporters that the forward was progressing well and would soon return to full fitness. However, those hopes were tempered last month when the coaching staff confirmed that the situation was more complex than first thought. “Dom, we know, has had that ankle issue that’s been bothering him for a while,” Frank explained. “He decided to have minor surgery — a small procedure. We’ll have more news about the timeframe after the international break.”

Now that the international break has concluded, Frank is expected to deliver a clearer and more definitive update on Solanke’s recovery timeline in his press conference later today. Tottenham supporters will be eager for positive news, as the England international has been a key figure in their attack since his arrival.

During Solanke’s absence, Spurs have rotated between Richarlison and Mathys Tel to lead the line. The pair have shared striking duties in recent weeks, with Tel managing to open his goal account for the season during the hard-fought 2-1 win over Leeds United. Summer signing Randal Kolo Muani has also been unavailable for a similar period due to his own fitness concerns, although he featured for 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, hinting that he is edging closer to a competitive return.

Even with these options, Solanke is widely regarded as Tottenham’s most complete centre-forward — a player capable of holding up play, pressing from the front, and finishing with precision. His absence has therefore been deeply felt, and fans are understandably eager to see him back in the squad as soon as possible.

On Thursday, Solanke provided a small but meaningful update on his recovery via Instagram. The striker posted a carousel of photos, including images of his rehabilitation, travel moments, and personal downtime, accompanied by a short but telling caption: “Positivity through the dark times.” The message appeared to reflect his mindset during the challenging recovery process, suggesting he is maintaining focus and optimism despite the long layoff.

In recent weeks, Solanke has been spotted staying active and engaged away from the pitch. He was seen training at Tottenham’s Hotspur Way complex and spending time in the United States, as well as attending a Coldplay concert alongside teammate James Maddison — who himself is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained during pre-season.

Tottenham’s injury list has grown considerably in recent months, adding to Frank’s challenges as he looks to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions. Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, and Kota Takai have each endured extended spells on the treatment table, while Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma have become the latest players to join the list of concerns ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa. Davies limped off in Wales’ defeat to Belgium, while Bissouma suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury just moments after coming on for Mali.

Frank is expected to address the conditions of Solanke, Davies, and Bissouma in detail during his upcoming press conference. For Tottenham supporters, the hope will be that Solanke’s positive attitude and recent progress signal that his long-awaited return to action is now on the horizon — potentially providing a much-needed boost as the season begins to intensify.