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Tottenham are likely to welcome back a number of faces to the matchday squad for the North London Derby
Thomas Frank has had to contend with a number of injuries during the opening months of the 2025/26 season and that has seen Tottenham's form remain inconsistent.
The 2-2 draw with Manchester United before the international break has left Spurs in fifth place in the Premier League, with the Lilywhites winning five, drawing three and losing three of their 11 games. James Maddison, Dejen Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin have not played a single minute this campaign due to injury, while Frank has also been without Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Archie Gray for large periods.
Solanke, seen as a player who could thrive in Frank's system, has only racked up three appearances this term. In fact, the 28-year-old has only been on the pitch for 49 minutes.
An ankle injury disrupted much of the England international's pre-season and the striker ended up having "minor surgery" to try and rectify the issue at the end of September. It means Solanke has not led the line for Tottenham for nearly three months.
Solanke made the move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Bournemouth last summer, with the club agreeing a deal worth £65million with the Cherries. The Englishman scored 16 goals and grabbed eight assists in his first year with the Lilywhites but there was a general consensus he could do more.
Frank has instead had to rely on Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani, but there is hope Solanke could make his return after the international break. Speaking at the end of October, Frank said: "We're very aware of when we get Dom back, we hope - touch wood - we have him back and no setbacks, so we are very aware of doing it the right way, so it's going in the right direction, he will not be available before the international break, so that's the status right now."
The Dane provided a further update last week: "Yeah, I think the international break will be the big deciding factor because we have two weeks there to push in the next steps. As I say, it's going forward. Just to take it instead of the questions every single time because it was clearly that he was not ready before the international break.
"It's more, we look after the international break, that's what we're aiming for. I think we always want to get it right, but I think it's important to get it right so he's out there, can help the team and we need him back."
So, there is general hope that Solanke could return to the Spurs matchday squad for the North London Derby against Arsenal on Sunday, November 23. Spurs then travel to Paris to face Champions League holders PSG three days later before welcoming Fulham to north London on November 29.
The back end of November and December will see Tottenham play nine games in all competitions and Frank will want as many of his players fit as possible. While Solanke may not start against league leaders Arsenal in just over a week's time, he certainly could come off the bench to make an impact instead.
A lot will depend on what Solanke does training wise over the next week. Frank and Tottenham, though, will soon be able to call upon Solanke once again and his return has arguably come at the perfect time.
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