Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou confirms Dominic Solanke fitness boost amid Spurs injury gloom

Evening Standard

·29 November 2024

Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou confirms Dominic Solanke fitness boost amid Spurs injury gloom

Spurs striker was in discomfort during Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Roma in the Europa League

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says Dominic Solanke is “fine” after a knock and expects to have the striker available for selection against Fulham this weekend.

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The striker looked to be in some discomfort following a second-half challenge from veteran defender Mats Hummels during Thursday night’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Roma in the Europa League.

Though Solanke was able to complete the full 90 minutes in north London, his fitness was a topic raised ahead of Sunday's London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Postecoglou delivered a positive update.

“Yeah, he's fine,” the Spurs boss said of Solanke when told it looked like he had hurt his groin against Roma. “He's a bit sore but we're obviously really thin squad-wise, especially in that front third, so he's working hard for us. At this stage nothing that's too significant.”

Having Solanke fit will no doubt be a major boost for Postecoglou as his options across the forward line are currently limited as it is with Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore all sidelined.

Since arriving from Bournemouth in the summer, Solanke has featured in all but two games across all competitions so far this season, weighing in with six goals and contributing a further three assists.

Arguably his best performance in a Spurs shirt to date came in the recent home game against Aston Villa, where he netted a brace in a 4-1 victory.

No concerns: Ange Postecoglou is expected to have Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke fit to face Fulham this weekend

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History suggests that Solanke enjoys playing against Fulham as he’s scored five times against them in seven appearances - his second-best return against any club - and may fancy his chances of notching another after the Cottagers shipped four at home to Wolves last weekend.

While Solanke is likely to be fit for the London derby, Postecoglou looks set to be without vice-captain Cristian Romero once again.

”Last night [after Roma], at this stage a clean bill of health,” he said when speaking before training on Friday.

“Mind you, I thought that last week and we had a surgery [Guglielmo Vicario]. Romero unlikely but I’m not ruling him out.

“He's got to get through a few things today and then there's a session tomorrow.”

Rodrigo Bentancur misses out through suspension for Tottenham and both Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario remain sidelined because of injury.

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