Thomas Frank on big selection decision and lack of options ahead of Champions League clash | OneFootball

Spurs boss Thomas Frank says he has only 11 regular first-team outfield players to choose from for Tuesday’s clash with Borussia Dortmund, and explained his decision to recall Dominic Solanke to the squad in place of Mathys Tel.

Tottenham’s injury woes increased on Saturday with confirmation that Ben Davies has undergone surgery on a fractured ankle.

“We basically have 11 outfield players available for the game, of normal first-team players,” Frank said ahead of the clash.

“One of them is Xavi (Simons), the guy who was didn’t train today because it was a bad tackle from Bowen, not that Bowen is a bad guy, he won’t do anything intentional.

“A bad tackle from behind that injured his ankle. He has a swollen ankle, but because he’s so strong mentally, he’ll play through pain tomorrow, so that’s big credit of course to Xavi.

“So we have 11 players available and we maybe have three players that need to push massively to get through 90 minutes physically, so that’s why we need everyone to support us.

“We need everyone to support us from minute one. All of us, especially the team, especially the players, especially if it’s not going too well, need supporters because if we do get that support, everything can happen and magic can happen. We have a good opportunity tomorrow and we go all in for it.”

Joao Palhinha is among those ruled out, Frank says. “No, that’s why I said we only have 11 players. So no. When it rains, it pours. So he’s not available.”

Spurs will also be without Micky van de Ven through suspension, while Tel has been replaced in the squad by Solanke.

Solanke had been named in the original Champions League squad before being swapped out for Tel after undergoing ankle surgery.

But Champions League rules say the only way for Solanke to be registered again is by replacing Tel.

“Yeah, I made the decision that was not a nice decision to have to make,” Frank explained.

“Unfortunately, that’s football, so you have to make a decision and the way the rules are, the only option was either Dom or Mathys in the squad and I chose Dom.

“I think Mathys has done very well the last couple of games and that’s the crazy thing. If I could pick from all the players that are fit, actually, he would start tomorrow. But I can only pick between the two of them and now he’s out of the squad.”