Thomas Frank seeks more creativity after dour Spurs display at Brentford
Tottenham face Sunderland at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The Standard
Sam Tabuteau
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Tottenham have been sweating over the fitness of Lucas Bergvall ahead of the Premier League clash with Sunderland.
Bergvall missed Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Brentford with a muscular injury after coming off in the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace after Christmas.
“Lucas Bergvall is a doubt,” said Thomas Frank on Friday. We hope he'll be ready.”
With Bergvall a doubt, Frank is likely to stick with the same midfield three he deployed against Brentford.
But he will hope to see more from his midfielders in possession as Spurs struggled to build any momentum on New Year’s Day.
Xavi Simons remains out as he serves the final game of his three-game suspension following his red card against Liverpool.
Frank provided a positive update on Dominic Solanke after the draw with Brentford, stating that the striker could return to fitness by the end of January.
Solanke, who has not played since August, has struggled with a recurring ankle injury, but partially returned to training this week.
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Frank, though, has not put a timeframe on the 28-year-old’s return.
“The thing I need to know about, of course, is when he's out there on the pitch. Then that's positive, of course,” Frank said.
“But to say mid-Jan or end of Jan or 25th of Jan, I will not do that. I will very much look forward to naming the dates when he's involved in the squad.”
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Destiny Udogie, meanwhile, are long-term injury concerns, with Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr still away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Spurs were disjointed and struggled to create anything against Brentford, but with Frank short of options he is unlikely to make any drastic changes to his starting line-up.
Wilson Odobert was given a rare chance to impress at the Gtech Community Stadium but his performance lacked intent.
He could make way for Randal Kolo Muani, who dropped to the bench against Brentford.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-3-3): Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro, Bentancur, Gray, Palhinha, Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Kudus
Injured: Solanke, Maddison, Udogie, Kulusevski
Doubts: Bergvall
Suspended: Simons
Unavailable: Bissouma, Sarr (AFCON)
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Sunday, January 4, 2026
How to watch: Sky Sports
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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