Injury expert casts doubt over Tottenham returns for Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke
Tottenham Hotspur have been without both Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski for the entire 2025/26 season so far, and a return doesn’t appear to be close.
Tottenham Hotspur continue to manage the absences of a few of their key stars this season under Thomas Frank.
Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison remain out as they continue to nurse long-term injuries and work on their rehabilitation.
Frank has not been entirely open about the progress of these players, often giving blunt, short updates, but now a Premier League injury expert has shared what he knows about the fitness of the three injured stars.
Tottenham injury update on Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski
Premier League injury expert Ben Dinnery has explained that Tottenham supporters should not expect quick returns for Solanke or Kulusevski, while also casting doubt over whether Maddison will feature again this season.
Speaking to Casino Beats, Dinnery outlined the current situation surrounding Solanke’s ongoing ankle issue.
Detailing the complications of the striker’s recovery, Dinnery said: “Dominic Solanke’s ankle issue has proven to be problematic for some time. The initial concern was that if he treaded conservatively, he would get through the injury.
“That proved not to be the case, and he ended up having a small procedure to remedy the niggle. He is responding well, but we will have a better understanding around the extent of his injury and when he can be expected to return once he is back on the training pitch.
“Initial signs suggested Dejan Kulusevski would have been back playing for Spurs around August or September, which I always thought was a bit optimistic, but there have been multiple setbacks in his recovery.
“As with all long-term injuries, it is the final phase of rehabilitation when players are increasing intensities and they are working more towards gameplay situations and movement patterns.
“Any return to play this season for James Maddison would be a huge bonus, but whether that is a realistic expectation is up for debate.
“I think the view of Spurs’ backroom staff will be to get Maddison through this season and have full focus on a strong pre-season on his road to full recovery.
“ACL injuries were once career-ending or, at the very least, career-threatening. While it is not to the same extent anymore, it still is very serious and there are very limited opportunities to accelerate the recovery process.”
Spurs handed minor boost despite ongoing injury concerns
While Maddison, Kulusevski and Solanke continue to work their way back to full fitness, Spurs received a welcome boost in their last league encounter with Crystal Palace.
Long-term absentees Kota Takai and Radu Dragusin finally made an appearance in a matchday squad in the Premier League, although the latter had featured a week earlier.
Takai did not make it onto the pitch and was an unused substitute, but Dragusin finally returned to competitive action, featuring for five minutes.
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