Tottenham Hotspur injury latest: Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevskia and more | OneFootball

Tottenham injury update casts long shadow over Spurs campaign

Tottenham’s problems continue to stack up, and the sense around Spurs is that the injury list has become a storyline of its own rather than a footnote to results. Defeat at Nottingham Forest capped what had briefly looked like a stabilising week, and the fallout has been felt as much in the treatment room as on the pitch. With key players still unavailable and timelines stretching further into the new year, the latest injury update underlines how fragile the squad remains.

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Randal Kolo Muani was able to shake off a minor concern to feature against Slavia Prague and Nottingham Forest, but beyond that there has been little movement. Several absentees remain weeks away, others are progressing only cautiously, and one senior figure is now facing a prolonged absence that reshapes the season ahead. For Spurs, the injury situation continues to define the mood.

Destiny Udogie sidelined into new year

Destiny Udogie’s absence has quietly become one of the more damaging blows. The left back will not be seen again before the end of 2025 after suffering a hamstring injury, depriving Spurs of one of their most dynamic outlets down the flank.

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Earlier in December, Frank suggested the setback would not be overly serious after Udogie missed the win over Brentford. Asked how long the defender would be out for, he said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.” That optimism soon faded.

A revised update followed days later, with Frank confirming a longer recovery period. “Destiny picked up a hamstring injury in the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January, unfortunately.” For Spurs, the loss stretches beyond fitness, as Udogie’s energy and aggression have been difficult to replicate.

Potential return date: January 2026

Dominic Solanke recovery carefully managed

Dominic Solanke’s situation remains one of the more sensitive cases. The striker is now training alone on grass after ankle surgery, a step forward but still short of full reintegration. He has been sidelined since the end of August and underwent surgery in October, described at the time as minor. Four months on, the cautious tone has not shifted.

Solanke briefly raised hopes last week by posting an image of himself in a Spurs shirt on Instagram, captioned with hourglasses. It hinted at momentum, but Frank was quick to lower expectations.

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“When he is training fully with the team, that is when I will say something … he is training by himself [on the grass].” Frank later added: “Sometimes it’s not so easy and straightforward, maybe it’s a minor setback, maybe it’s taken a little bit slower.

“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.”

For Spurs, patience appears unavoidable, with no firm date offered and the striker now removed from the Champions League squad.

Potential return date: Unknown

Long term absentees edge closer

There has been more tangible progress from Radu Dragusin, whose long road back from a serious knee injury is nearing its final stages. Out since January, the defender has stepped up his return in recent weeks, featuring in behind closed doors fixtures.

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Dragusin played 65 minutes against Dagenham and Redbridge after completing 45 minutes against Leyton Orient the previous month. After that appearance, he said: “It felt good, first minutes in 10 months out, finally minutes in the legs and I just have to build on this.” Spurs will hope those minutes soon translate into first team involvement.

Potential return date: January 2026

Dejan Kulusevski also remains on a gradual path back. The playmaker has been absent since the end of last season with a patella injury but returned to grass during last month’s international break. Frank has previously said there is a “good chance” Kulusevski could return before the end of 2025, though any comeback will be handled carefully.

Potential return date: January 2026

Depth tested as uncertainty lingers

Further down the list, uncertainty continues to surround several squad players. Kota Takai has yet to make his Spurs debut since arriving from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer. He joined Dragusin in the under 21s match against Dagenham, completing the first half, but remains short of first team readiness.

“First of all, I am just glad I finished without getting injured,” Takai said. “And now, I want to work hard toward making my debut for the first team next.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma has not featured at all this season. After missing the UEFA Super Cup for disciplinary reasons, he was stretchered off shortly after returning for Mali on international duty. Surgery followed, with Frank confirming ankle ligament damage in October.

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Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison’s absence looms largest over the longer term. The midfielder underwent surgery on a torn ACL sustained in a pre season meeting with Newcastle and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 to 26 campaign. It is a blow that reshapes Spurs’ creative outlook.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

As things stand, Spurs are still waiting for relief. The injury list remains long, the timelines uncertain, and the impact unmistakable. For now, managing recovery has become as important as managing matches, and the latest update offers reminders rather than reassurance.