Dragusin, Kulusevski, Solanke - Tottenham injury news and return dates for West Ham

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin has moved one step closer to a first-team return. The Romania international hasn’t played since January, when he suffered an ACL injury against Elfsborg in the Europa League.

“One step closer... Radu's back in training,” Spurs’ official account posted on social media. The post was accompanied by a video of the centre-back lacing up his boots and running out onto the training ground, where he was put through his paces.

Thomas Frank is expected to have Dragusin available before the turn of the year. However, there was no place for him in the squad for the Champions League’s league phase, with Frank also leaving out summer signing Mathys Tel as one of a number of tough decisions.

Despite being unavailable to play, he joined his team-mates in Bilbao for the Europa League final and travelled to Udine for the Super Cup. Dragusin played 28 times last season, with 15 of those appearances coming in the Premier League, but recognised the injury has forced him into a bit of a reset.

"I think it really changed the way I see everything in football," he told club media in early August. "It was my first injury, so it was a big change. I had to learn to live with it, train with it but I think it changed me in a good way - it gave me another perspective of how I view everything in football.

"I had to learn how to walk again. I was on crutches, my knee was really stiff from the surgery. It was a long process but, once I got back to normal walking, it became a positive journey.”

Dragusin isn't the only Spurs player on the comeback trail, though. Here, football.london has the latest for you ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham.

Yves Bissouma

Bissouma has yet to feature in the league this season and is another Spurs player who won't be able to take part in the Champions League league phase. However, Frank indicated before the Bournemouth game that he might not be too far from a return.

"He's out for the next game," Frank said, referring to the defeat against the Cherries. "I don't have a specific timeline for him, but I don't think it will be that long."

Possible return date: West Ham, September 13

Radu Dragusin

Dragusin's return to training is good news, but he's unlikely to be rushed back into action. With Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso all available this term, there is no need to bring his schedule forward.

That means we shouldn't expect to see him for Saturday's game against West Ham. Spurs may even decide to wait until after the October international break if they remain well-stocked.

Possible return date: October

Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski looks set to be out for a little longer. He was also left out of the European squad, having not yet recovered from the patella injury which kept him out of the Europa League final last term.

"Kulusevski is out. It's a longer one. I don't want to put a time frame on it," Frank told reporters before the win away at Manchester City.

The Sweden star has linked up with his international colleagues during the September break, but manager Jon Dahl Tomasson made it clear that wasn't with a view to a surprise return to action. "Dejan Kulusevski will be part of the group. He won't be able to play, but he will be there anyway," Tomasson said, per Fotboll Skanalen.

"That says something about his character. He's doing everything he can to get us to the World Cup. He wants to help the team. He will be with the team throughout the entire campaign."

Possible return date: November

James Maddison

Maddison will miss the majority of the season after suffering an ACL injury in a pre-season game against Newcastle. However, he has shared a photo on Instagram showing the progress of his rehab so far.

"Lowest low I’ve ever had," the England international wrote in August after undergoing surgery. "Heartbroken at the fact this injury has occurred at this time in my career.

"With the Super Cup tomorrow, the Premier League season on the horizon, the exciting Champions League campaign & it being a World Cup year for England it all feels very very cruel but nevertheless the ACL reconstruction surgery was successful."

Possible return date: Unknown

Dominic Solanke

Solanke came off the bench for each of Spurs' first two league games, also playing in the Super Cup final and scoring in the penalty shoot-out. He missed the match against former club Bournemouth, though, with Frank issuing an update.

"[He's] got a minor issue with his ankle," the manager explained. "That’s been a little bit grumbling also in the pre-season.

“It’s just too much for this game and now we have [the] international break so hopefully he can be ready after that," Frank added. The expectation is that Solanke will be assessed before Saturday's game in East London.

Possible return date: West Ham, September 13

Kota Takai

Summer signing Takai has struggled with a foot injury since joining from Kawasaki Frontale. The Japan centre-back missed pre-season action, and was left out of Frank's Champions League squad, with the manager confirming the club has yet to determine the likely extent of his absence.

"Kota got a plantar fascia injury," Frank said of the 21-year-old. "Unfortunately we don't know the scale of it - weeks."

Possible return date: Unknown