‘Taking it day by day’ – English-Nigerian Dominic Solanke optimistic after injury layoff

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke has opened up about his long-term injury, revealing the challenges of his recovery and his determination to return to first-team action.

Solanke, born in England to Nigerian parents, has been sidelined for the majority of the season, leaving Spurs without their leading striker during a critical phase.

Despite his absence, Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League after 11 matches.

Last month, Solanke shared social media updates with captions such as “Positivity through the dark times” and “Little bit of life,” giving fans insight into his rehabilitation process and resilience.

Speaking to The Athletic, the 28-year-old described the initial shock of his injury and subsequent surgery, which has significantly improved his recovery prospects.

“It’s been very difficult. At first, I didn’t think I would be out for too long, but we didn’t really understand the extent of the injury. I was trying to get back as quickly as I could but it didn’t happen, so I had to have surgery. Since then, I have been working to get back.

“I’m not putting a timeline on it because I’ve been telling everyone ‘I’m going to be back soon’ for the last few months. I’m taking it day by day but hopefully I won’t be much longer.”

His absence has added to Tottenham manager Thomas Frank’s injury concerns, alongside James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, complicating squad selection and strategy. When asked if fans might see Solanke before the end of 2025, Frank responded, “I do hope so.”

Solanke’s gradual return is set to provide Spurs with a significant boost as they aim to maintain their top-five Premier League position and strengthen their attacking options ahead of the busy winter schedule.