Tottenham dealt injury blow ahead of Champions League showdown with Villarreal | OneFootball

Dominic Solanke still not ready to return to training before European opener

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham face Villarreal on Tuesday

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Spurs begin their European campaign on Tuesday at home to the Spanish side as they look to back up what has been a positive start to life under Thomas Frank domestically.

But the Spurs boss looks set once again have to deal with the absence of Solanke, who took no part in open training the day before the match.

The 28-year-old has been out with an ankle injury since coming off the bench in the win over Manchester City last month.

Solanke has been struggling with an ankle injury since pre-season

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That was an issue that kept Solanke out for the majority of pre-season, and he has now missed matches against Bournemouth and West Ham.

Speaking ahead of the win over the Hammers on Saturday, Frank was asked whether it could be a problem that requires surgery.

The Spurs boss did not respond to that directly but insisted he did not expect Solanke to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"I think right now we are doing everything we can – the medical team - to get on top of it and that’s what we’re focusing on," Frank said.

"I get a feeling he is not too far away, but he’s just fallen short for this week.

Should Solanke be ruled out again, Richarlison is likely to come back into the side to lead the line.

He started on the bench against West Ham after returning late in the week from international duty with Brazil, as Mathys Tel got his chance.

The Frenchman had little impact and has been left out of the Champions League squad for the league phase so cannot feature against Villarreal.

Randal Kolo Muani is available, though, and is in contention to make his Spurs debut.

Radu Dragusin trained by himself with a fitness coach, away from the main group.