Tottenham assess Gallagher and Solanke before Atletico Madrid tie
Tottenham Hotspur are sweating on the fitness of Conor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League second-leg tie against Atletico Madrid.
Spurs must overturn a 5-2 deficit from last week’s first-leg defeat in the Spanish capital to advance to the next round of the elite European competition.
Hopes of a miraculous comeback are tempered by a dire run of form under new manager Igor Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank last month.
The north London club currently sit just one point above the Premier League relegation zone and remain without a domestic victory in 2026.
Attacking crisis deepens for Tudor
The Croatian head coach confirmed in his pre-match press conference that his £65m centre-forward has sustained a minor physical issue.
Medical staff will assess the English striker on Wednesday morning to determine his availability for the matchday squad.
If the former Bournemouth man is ruled out, it leaves the 47-year-old manager with a severe shortage of attacking options.
Brazilian forward Richarlison is already serving a one-match suspension following a booking at the Estadio Metropolitano.
That leaves Randal Kolo Muani as the likely deputy, despite the French international being substituted at half-time during the bruising first-leg encounter.
Virus hampers midfield engine
Adding to the selection headache, a former Atletico player is struggling with a virus that has exacerbated his underlying asthma.
The January arrival from La Liga failed to train on Tuesday and is considered a major doubt to face his old employers.
“We’ll see today what we can do, because he has, as you know, probably asthma problems,” Tudor explained.
“He gets some virus, which is not a nice thing. We’re going to see if he’s able tomorrow to go on the bench, we hope.”
It has been a difficult adaptation period in England for the energetic midfielder, who has frequently found himself among the substitutes.
His all-action style relies heavily on cardiovascular endurance, making this breathing issue particularly problematic for his overall game.
Should the England international be completely ruled out, fit-again Swedish prospect Lucas Bergvall could take his place on the bench.
The club will undoubtedly exercise caution with a pivotal domestic fixture against Nottingham Forest looming on Sunday.
