Yorkshire Evening Post

Thomas Frank's side have Champions League football to contend with before Saturday's trip to Leeds United.

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Tottenham Hotspur will be sweating on the fitness of two key forwards ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United.

Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani both sat out Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wolves due to injury, with Richarlison the only natural No.9 on offer to manager Thomas Frank. Solanke has been out for over a month with an ankle issue while summer loan arrival Kolo Muani picked up a dead leg in training last week.

Solanke briefly returned to training earlier this month but progress from that ankle injury has been slow, with Frank describing it as ‘tricky’ situation recently. The Dane is currently preparing his side for a Tuesday-evening Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt and oversaw an open training session on Monday, which various media outlets attended.

The Evening Standard subsequently revealed Solanke was not involved in the open training session, with the striker set to miss his side’s European fixture, while Kolo Muani was also absent and is a major doubt. The attacking pair are therefore both doubts for Spurs’ trip to Leeds, given the quick turnaround.

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Spurs fly to Norway on Monday evening before facing Bodo/Glimt at their Aspmyra Stadion at 8pm UK time Tuesday evening. Frank’s side will then head back to London with little time to rest and recover before a likely Friday night journey north, with their Premier League game against Leeds picked for the Saturday lunchtime slot.

Spurs No.9 issues clear ahead of Leeds United trip

Frank was unable to bring on any fresh legs at No.9 against Wolves, despite his side chasing an equaliser right up until Joao Palhinha’s 94th-minute effort, with Richarlison playing the full 90 minutes and finding little joy. The Spurs boss could be left with a similar predicament both on Tuesday in Norway and Saturday at Elland Road.

"I think there were enough offensive actions,” Frank said after Saturday’s draw at Molineux. “But, of course, it's [not ideal] to have one natural striker. I think Mathys (Tel) can play striker, but he's probably a striker and a winger - so, a natural striker such as Richy and Dom and Kolo Muani, it would have been nice to have that extra option. I think we could still have won the game anyway."

Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies and Kota Takai were all involved in first-team training on Monday, having all missed recent matches through injury. Only Davies could be involved at Bodo/Glimt, however, with the latter pair not named in Spurs’ 25-man Champions League squad earlier this month.

Frank will have multiple opportunities to speak with the media and provide an update on his injured players ahead of Saturday. The Spurs boss will hold pre and post-game press conferences either side of Tuesday’s Champions League clash, with another media briefing to come before the weekend.

Similarly, Daniel Farke will hold his own pre-game press conference on Thursday, with Leeds looking to have come through Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth unscathed. The Whites were without Lucas Perri (quad) and Willy Gnonto (calf), however.

Leeds United’s next Premier League clash sees the visit of Tottenham in just the seventh game of the Premier League season - but ten players are already out or doubtful for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road.

For Leeds, the contest will mark a second a home game against a highflying side in the space of eight days following Saturday afternoon’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth for which Whites boss Daniel Farke had key men out.

But new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was without half a team for Saturday evening’s visit of Wolves which offered his side the chance to move second. In the end, Frank’s men needed a late Joao Palhinha equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw which has left Spurs fourth in the Premier League table ahead of the trip to the 11th-placed Whites.

Leeds now have a full week to prepare for Tottenham’s visit but Spurs face midweek action with Tuesday evening’s Champions League clash at Bodo/Glimt. Ahead of that contest, here, we run through the early injury news from both camps.

Leeds United face Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in their next game of the Premier League game.

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has made an injuries admission ahead of next weekend’s trip to Leeds United but with a defiant attacking view.

Spurs lined up for Saturday evening’s hosting of struggling Wolves knowing a win would send them second but Frank’s side needed a 94th-minute strike from Joao Palhinha to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Missing injured pair Dominic Solanke (ankle) and Randal Kolo Muani (dead leg), Frank’s options upfront were limited and Richarlison played the full game in the no 9 role but without any joy.

Speaking at his post match press conference and as quoted by Tottenham’s official website, Frank admitted the availability of a Solanke or Muani “would have been nice” - yet insisted that his team still could have taken all three points.

“Would have been nice”

Asked if his Spurs were suffering from not being able to bring on the likes of Solanke or Kolo Muani to change what they have upfront, Frank reasoned: "I think there were enough offensive actions.

“But, of course, it's to have one natural striker.

“I think Mathys (Tel) can play striker, but he's probably a striker and a winger - so, a natural striker as Richy and Dom and Kolo Muani would have been nice to have that extra option.

“I think we could still have won the game anyway."

Spurs are also without Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Yves Bissouma (unknown), summer signing Kota Takai (plantar fascia) and longer-term absentee James Maddison (ACL rupture).

Ben Davies has also been out of late with a knee injury but midfielder Pape Sarr returned from a thigh injury as a 78th-minute substitute in Saturday’s clash against Wolves.

Leeds United are already reaping the benefits from what was an ambitious summer transfer window as ten new faces arrived at Elland Road ahead of the new Premier League season.

After securing the Championship title on the final day of last season and landing a return to the top flight, the Elland Road hierarchy authorised a spend of around £100 million as Daniel Farke’s squad was boosted in preparation to face the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and reigning champions Liverpool.

The likes of Sean Longstaff, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach have all impressed during the opening two months of the season and have established themselves as key players within the Whites ranks.

The focus has already switched towards the January transfer window and adding further strength to Farke’s squad in a bid to remain in top tier. Leeds are able to sign free agents at the moment and there are some intriguing options on a list of players without a club - although they would not be able to feature until January.

Leeds United are set for a string of interesting reunions over the coming weeks as former players turn out for Premier League opponents. Daniel Farke’s side welcome Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur to Elland Road over the next fortnight, both of whom boast ex-Whites midfielders within their ranks.

Elland Road is not the most forgiving environment and returning players deemed to have wronged the club by fans will certainly know where they stand. Those same supporters remain loyal and appreciative of others to have worn the famous white shirt, however, with chants of ‘you’re Leeds, and you know you are’ expected at different points of the season.

All in all, 15 former Leeds stars could play a part in their respective team’s trip to LS11 between now and May, with some very interesting returns on the horizon. Below, the YEP takes a look at when those particular players are due back.

All eyes will turn back towards Elland Road as Leeds United look to build on a big win at Wolves when they face AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur in a home double header over the next fortnight.

After falling behind to an early goal from Ladislav Krejci, Daniel Farke’s men claimed a huge three points at Molineux as summer signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor all grabbed their first goals for the club and set off wild celebrations in the away end.

However, it will be the home faithful rather than the travelling support who will be the focus when Leeds return to Elland Road next weekend when Bournemouth are the visitors.

Another sold-out crowd is expected and similar will follow when Spurs make the same trip seven days later - but how does Leeds United’s average attendance compare to their rivals across the Premier League?

More Leeds United games have been moved for TV broadcast.

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Two more Leeds United fixtures have been moved for TV broadcast upon the October selections being announced and a further change is possible.

Leeds were due to start October with a 3pm kick-off at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, October 4 but the game has been moved to a 12.30pm start for coverage on TNT Sports.

However, a further change to the fixture is possible as the game will become an 8pm kick-off on the same day in the event of Tottenham playing away from home in the Champions League the preceding Wednesday.

Middle game of the month not selected

Either way, the Spurs clash is the last league game before the October international break, after which United’s trip to Burnley has not been picked for TV coverage and remains a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, October 18.

United’s final game of the month at home to West Ham United, though, has been selected for coverage on Sky Sports and now moves from a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, October 25 to Friday, October 24 for an 8pm kick-off under the Elland Road lights.

The winger is yet to play for Tottenham Hotspur following the end of his successful Leeds United loan spell.

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Manor Solomon was a notable absence in Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank’s list of left-wing options over the weekend with the former Leeds United loanee’s future still uncertain.

Solomon returned to Spurs following the Leeds title celebrations he secured with an added-time final-day winner at Plymouth Argyle back in May, but the winger is yet to feature in pre-season. A calf injury has kept him from staking a claim to be part of Frank’s 2025/26 squad as of yet, with only two weeks until the Premier League season kicks off.

Spurs will have a huge gap to fill at left-wing, following confirmation over the weekend that Son Heung-min will leave after 10 years in north London. The South Korean international is thought to have played his final game on Sunday, a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in his home country.

Solomon might have hoped to carry his Leeds form into pre-season and claim Son’s place in the Tottenham squad, but competition will inevitably be stronger inside the Europa League champions than it was at Elland Road. And when Frank was quizzed on possible left-wing successors out in Seoul, there was no mention of the Israeli international whatsoever.

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“For me personally, I would love to work with him,” Frank told Football.London on Son. “He is a fantastic person and player. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him from a distance. He has been here 10 years at Spurs, not just 10 years but 10 amazing years. He is a truly Spurs legend in every aspect. I actually think one of the best players who has ever played in the Premier League as a winger in my opinion.

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“First and foremost, when a great player is leaving a team other players have a chance to shine. Brennan Johnson is a player who could play on the left. Also I think that Wilson Odobert did well against Arsenal and can play on the left and also Mathys Tel is a flexible player. I think we have some young promising players that hopefully can step up and take over from Sonny in the future.”

Leeds United transfer latest with Manor Solomon links quiet

While Frank might only have omitted Solomon due to him being out injured currently, it appears others are ahead of the former Leeds loanee, even the likes of Johnson and Tel who are not naturally left-sided players. And after playing so regularly on loan at Elland Road, a season on the bench would be far from ideal.

The door could therefore be open for Solomon to leave but as things stand, speculation over a return to West Yorkshire has gone quiet. Leeds were heavily linked with a permanent move for the 26-year-old shortly after the 2024/25 campaign and remain in the market for a left-winger, although other targets appear to be higher on their list.

Igor Paixão was considered a ‘stretch target’ for Leeds and they eventually missed out on the £30m Brazilian, who is closing in on a move to Marseille, but recruitment chiefs are looking to be ambitious when it comes to marquee attacking positions. There have also been links to RC Strasbourg’s Dilane Bakwa while the YEP understands enquiries have been made regarding Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss.

A Premier League side have announced the signing of another recently departed Leeds United youngster.

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Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have signed another recently departed Leeds United youngster to complete a triple Whites swoop.

Sixteen-year-old England youth international forward Oliver Boast joined United’s Academy when he was eight years old but the teenager announced last week that he was leaving the club to start a new chapter.

It had been reported that Boast was set to join Spurs and the club have now confirmed that the young forward has joined their Academy to link up with their under-18s as a first-year scholar.

Young attacking midfielder Max McFadden made the same move to Tottenham upon leaving Leeds this summer and the pair now become younger team mates of ex-Whites star Archie Gray who joined Spurs following United’s play-off final heartache last summer.

Tottenham could only finish last season’s Premier League campaign in a dismal 17th place but the club qualified for the Champions League through their Europa League triumph.

Debut for Leeds under-21s at 15 years of age

A statement from Tottenham Hotspur read: “We are delighted to announce that Oliver Boast has joined our Academy from Leeds United.

“The 16-year-old England youth international links up with our Under-18s as a first-year scholar, joining the initial 10 young players who went full-time with us in that year group at the start of this month.

“A talented centre-forward, Ollie joined Leeds as an eight-year-old and progressed through the ranks, becoming a regular for their Under-18s last term despite still being a schoolboy.

“He scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s in April – a month which also saw him make his debut for the Whites' Under-21s, aged just 15.

“On the international stage, Ollie has represented England at Under-15 and Under-16 levels to date.”

Teenage striker Oliver Boast has confirmed his Leeds United exit with a move to Spurs on the cards.

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Leeds United academy prospect Oliver Boast has confirmed his decision to ‘start a new chapter’ after eight years rising through the ranks at Thorp Arch.

Boast looks set to join Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur this summer, with The Athletic initially reporting Leeds will receive a compensation fee for their teenage striker. The 16-year-old made debuts for the Whites Under-18s and Under-21s last season, first turning out for the latter in April while he was still only 15 years old.

As per Football Association (FA) rules, Leeds will be due compensation for the time and resources they have put into Boast, which can either be decided between both clubs or through a tribunal. The Athletic reported last month that the former avenue had been taken with a seven-figure fee agreed.

Boast joined Leeds as an eight-year-old and has developed through the age groups right up to under-21 level. Unlike his fellow 16-year-old striker Harry Gray, however, a first-team debut never arrived and he now looks set to join Harry’s brother Archie in north London.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, complete with pictures throughout his young career, Boast wrote: “After 8 years at Leeds United, it’s now time for me to move on and start a new chapter.

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“I’ve been lucky enough to share some amazing moments with great teammates and the memories we shared will stay with me forever. A big thank you to everyone at Leeds who has helped me over the years - I wish the club all the best for the future!”

Leeds United academy bearing fruit in two ways

Boast looks set to be the latest academy prospect to leave Leeds before making a first-team debut in recent years, the most notable of which was Finlay Gorman. The midfielder joined Manchester City last season for an initial £1.5m, British record for a 15-year-old, and reports at the time suggested a deal could be worth up to £5m if certain add-ons are met.

Neither Boast nor Gorman made inroads towards the first-team picture at Leeds, something fellow Teenager Gray has managed to do over the past year or so. The striker got his competitive debut against Stoke City in April last season and has already been involved this summer, coming off the bench during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Manchester United.

Sam Chambers, Charlie Crew and Rhys Chadwick were also involved at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm as Daniel Farke gave valuable experience to a host of young prospects. It’s unclear how involved each of the aforementioned quartet will be once the proper stuff gets going next month, with little opportunity for developing youth during a likely relegation battle.

Leeds have two more friendlies, this time behind closed doors, to look forward to in Germany before hosting Villarreal at Elland Road early next month. A meeting with AC Milan in Dublin is likely to see Farke move towards his strongest possible XI in what will be their final friendly before the 2025/26 Premier League campaign gets underway at home to Everton on August 18.