Thomas Frank has admitted that Dominic Solanke’s recovery from a recurring ankle injury has not been straightforward.
The Tottenham striker has been out of action since the end of August and belatedly underwent surgery on the issue in October.
At the time, Frank described the surgery as minor, but with the England international still yet to return to fitness four months later, concerns about his rehabilitation have been raised.
“Sometimes it's not so easy and straightforward, maybe it’s a minor setback, maybe it’s taken a little bit slower,” Frank, who admitted he had become bored by questions on Solanke’s fitness, said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Without being too boring and talking about details, the thing is it’s more positive now, and I’m looking forward to him on the training pitch and involved in the squad.”
Solanke posted a cryptic message on social media on Friday, which appeared to hint at a return to action for Spurs, but Frank quelled any suggestion that the 28-year-old was close to being available for selection.
"When he is training fully with the team, that is when I will say something,” the Dane continued before adding that Solanke was back in individual training.
Solanke’s continued absence is a source of frustration for Frank, but he said he has no doubt that he will return to fitness to bolster Tottenham’s attack.
“No doubt I would love to have Dom out there. To have a quality player like him in the squad, that would just help even more for competition, for rotation, for everything in the team.
“The good thing is I’m not in doubt he’ll be out there.”
