Tottenham injury update: Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie latest news and return dates

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Evening Standard

·22 December 2025

Tottenham injury update: Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie latest news and return dates

Spurs lose two more players for London derby against Crystal Palace but Radu Dragusin is back in first team picture

Tottenham will look to get back on track when they play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

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The two sides suffered defeats in their final Premier League games before Christmas as Spurs were beaten at home by Liverpool despite a spirited effort with nine-men.

It is now back-to-back defeats for Thomas Frank's side just as it appeared they had turned a corner with successive wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague at the start of the month.

Spurs go into this weekend's London derby hoping to avoid a third straight loss but will be without captain Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons against Palace after being sent-off against Liverpool.

Player discipline and the result did overshadow the fact that Radu Dragusin was named on the bench as he nears a return from injury and there's hope one or two more aren't too far away.

With that in mind, here is the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates…

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke "progressing forward" is the latest positive update regarding the Tottenham striker.

Solanke has been out of action since the end of August with an ankle issue and belatedly underwent surgery in October.

Amid concerns about his rehabilitation, Solanke recently posted an image of himself in a Spurs shirt on Instagram, captioned with hourglasses, suggesting a return could come sooner rather than later.

While a return did not transpire against Nottingham Forest or Liverpool, Frank did reveal on Friday that he is excited about having Solanke available for selection in the near future.

"I'm looking forward to naming [Solanke] in the squad," Frank said. "He is progressing forward."

Potential return date: January 2026

Dominic Solanke is nearing a return to action for Tottenham

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Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie has been ruled out until January with a hamstring injury, which leaves very little room for Frank to rotate his full-backs during the festive period.

Frank confirmed that Udogie had suffered a soft tissue injury, after the left-back was missing for the win over Brentford.

Asked at the time how long Udogie will be out for, Frank said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

But a new update came a few days later, with a longer timeline: “Destiny picked up a hamstring injury in the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January, unfortunately.”

Potential return date: January 2026

Dejan Kulusevski

Another player with a shot at a comeback early in the new year is Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury but he was back on grass during last month’s international break.

Frank has said previously there is a “good chance” that the playmaker could return in 2025 but that seems unlikely with just one game remaining of the calendar year.

Potential return date: January 2026

Kota Takai

Kota Takai is yet to feature for Tottenham since his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer.

Frank said before Spurs’ defeat by Chelsea that Takai would “be training soon”, but the young defender has not make any of the matchday squads in recent weeks.

He has, however, been pictured in action with the club’s under-21 side. He played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge.

It remains unclear, though, when he will be back in the first team fold.

Potential return date: Unknown