Injury boost, Van de Ven vs Odobert - Four things spotted in Tottenham training for Man City

Thomas Frank's Tottenham team are stepping up their preparations ahead of Saturday's Premier League encounter against Manchester City. Spurs marked the new season with a 3-0 victory over Burnley and they will be attempting to make it two wins on the bounce when they visit the Etihad Stadium for the lunchtime kick-off.

Tottenham will have to produce some performance in Manchester to come away with maximum points as Pep Guardiola's side started the term in style by putting four goals past Wolves. Games between the sides at the Etihad have proved to be memorable affairs in recent seasons and the latest match may well be full of excitement and goals once again.

Ahead of their trip north, Spurs have been putting in the hard work at their Hotspur Way base in their quest to achieve three points against City. Here are four things we spotted in the team's latest training session from the club's training video.

Solomon injury boost

Manor Solomon has yet to feature for Tottenham since returning this summer from his Leeds United loan spell. Injury put a stop to the winger playing for Frank in the pre-season friendlies and he has also failed to make the matchday squads for the recent Paris Saint-Germain and Burnley fixtures.

Solomon featured regularly in the latest training video released by the club and he will have been doing all he can to force his way into Frank's thinking for the upcoming games following his previous injury setback. The Spurs boss did indicate in his pre-match press conference for the Burnley game that his player had only just returned to part training with the team and it was about stepping it up after that, which it appears he has done.

Another attacking option helps Frank out and the Israeli has to take his chance with both hands if it arrives after not playing for the Dane at all so far.

Lesser-spotted Scarlett

Someone else who has not made the matchday squad in Tottenham's first two games of the 2025/26 season is Dane Scarlett. The academy graduate was notably left out of the squad for the pre-season tour of Asia to explore a loan move elsewhere, with his only appearance in the summer coming as a late substitute in the draw at Luton Town.

A loan deal has yet to come to fruition and it is something Tottenham need to sort out ASAP with the summer deadline edging ever closer. For now, the 21-year-old continues to train with the first team until his situation changes.

Attacking drills

Tottenham are going to have to take their chances at the Etihad Stadium when they arrive as they may be few and far between. The team should certainly be in confident mood anyway after scoring three against Burnley last weekend.

Ahead of Saturday's game in Manchester, Frank and his coaching staff had the players working on their attacking play as they looked to find a way past the defenders and then score beyond the goalkeeper. Solomon and Scarlett were involved in one eye-catching piece of play as the winger slipped his teammate in with a lovely through ball that split Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven. Scarlett duly did the rest after rounding Guglielmo Vicario to score.

Mathys Tel looked sharp and the same went for Dominic Solanke who displayed some nice quick feet to get the better of Kevin Danso better netting. Lucas Bergvall also scored an impressive goal with a strike from distance into the top corner past Antonin Kinsky.

Powerful Vuskovic and Van de Ven goals

Ahead of Tottenham releasing their full training video, the club did publish a teaser on Wednesday night which gave an insight into one of their training drills. The players went up against each other in a one-vs-one scenario where they had to use their strength to better their opponent and then convert a cross from the wing.

It started with Van de Ven outmuscling Mohammed Kudus and netting a glancing header that went in at the far post. The Dutchman also scored a superb diving header that resulted in Wilson Odobert falling over the training mannequin after coming off second best in their mini battle.

Richarlison, who is known for his heading ability, also scored one for himself as he sped past Archie Gray and headed the ball into the top corner. The Brazilian was clearly impressed by his finish that he decided to celebrate.

One thing that was evident to see in the video is just how powerful 18-year-old defender Luka Vuskovic is. Showing his strength against Spence and Brennan Johnson as he gave them a tough challenge, he then expertly headed home into the corner after gaining a yard on Ben Davies.

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