Speaking to the media at Tottenham Hotspur's Enfield training base on Friday afternoon, Head Coach Thomas Frank delivered positive news on the injury front ahead of his first competitive North London Derby in charge of The Lilywhites.
Over recent weeks, Spurs have been missing as many as ten first-team players, as the club battled an injury crisis for the third consecutive season, however, things are now looking much more positive ahead of Sunday's derby clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Summer signing Randal Kolo Muani, who came off injured at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United before the international break, is fit and could play, having worn a specially-fitted mask in training as a result of his fractured jaw, which he suffered in a collision with Harry Maguire.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Bergvall, who both missed games before the break, have been training with the squad and are available.
The Ghanaian suffered a calf issue following the 1-0 loss against Chelsea and subsequently missed the two remaining games before the break, while the 19-year-old Swede came off in that dreadful home defeat after less than ten minutes owing to a concussion, and due to protocols surrounding player safety, also missed the win against Copenhagen and the draw at home to United.
Bergvall was named in the Sweden squad for their fixtures during the international break, yet was sent home as he had not yet fully recovered, but he is now back fit and raring to go.
In total, eight players returned to training since the conclusion of the international break, with five in contention to feature as the Premier League recommences.
"They are good, most of them. Pape [Matar Sarr] and Lucas [Bergvall] both trained and are available. [Randal] Kolo Muani trained and is available, he will wear a mask. Dom [Solanke] is not ready yet. We want to be absolutely sure when we put him out there, no setbacks."
Woes up front
The number nine position is where Tottenham have largely struggled in recent years since the departure of record goalscorer Harry Kane, but Dominic Solanke, who signed at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, offered a glimmer of hope in being able to somewhat reach the level of the England captain.
Last season, the former Bournemouth man notched sixteen goals and contributed to eight assists, but Spurs have missed him in his absence, which has lasted the majority of the current campaign, with the striker featuring for just 49 minutes across three substitute cameos in the UEFA Super Cup and Premier League.
If Thomas Frank can get Solanke fully fit and firing, and not risk the repercussions of rushing him back too soon, then Spurs will reap the rewards, whilst adding extra depth to their forward line. After all, he is the current record signing in N17.
Creative spark to return
Whilst it might not seem like he was missed, with Frank's side scoring six goals in the two games he was absent, the addition of Mohammed Kudus to the squad for the North London Derby is a timely boost for Spurs.
Although brief with the update, the Dane has said his summer capture is ready.
Thomas Frank: "He trained today and is available."
The winger, who joined from London rivals West Ham for a £55m fee in the summer transfer window, hit the ground running at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, involving himself in six goals in his first ten appearances, and could be the difference maker as Tottenham look for a first win away at Arsenal in the league since November 2010.
With Gabriel out injured for Arsenal, there could be a chance for the visitors to exploit the void in The Gunners' defence, and Kudus can certainly have a big part to play in that, as you would figure he is one of the first names on the team sheet when fit.
Restoring defensive depth
Another positive that Spurs can take is the fact that they are finally going to have more than three centre-backs available for selection in the near future.
Romanian defender Radu Dragusin, who has missed nearly a year of action with an ACL injury picked up in the UEFA Europa League win over IF Elfsborg last January, has been back in training for some time and even featured for the u21s in a friendly against Leyton Orient during the international break, playing 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, Ben Davies and young Japanese defender Kota Takai, who joined in the summer but is yet to play a single minute, have also returned to the fold.
"Radu is in full training. Played his first 45 minutes in nine months last week. Trained fully today. He is very close to being selected. Kota and Ben both trained with the team today."