Ange Postecoglou backs Dominic Solanke to become ‘strong contributor’ for Spurs

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Tottenham did look at Ivan Toney as a potential signing, but Dominic Solanke was always his number one target this summer.

Spurs spent £65million to bring in Solanke from Bournemouth last month and his start to life at the club has been disrupted by an ankle injury sustained on his debut at Leicester.

Toney was the other high-profile English forward on the market but he eventually joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in a surprise move which means Spurs will not face him on Saturday when Brentford make the trip across the capital.

Postecoglou briefly touched upon Toney’s summer availability before launching a staunch defence of Solanke, who produced good moments against Leicester and Arsenal but is without a goal after three appearances.

“We did look at him (Toney) but I have said, Dom was the one I wanted and it took pretty much the whole summer to get him in because he was the one who fitted the profile of what we were looking for at the time,” Postecoglou explained.

“People are just so quick to judge, mate. It’s a small sample. The guy has played less than two games for us.

“If he has gone 15 games without a goal then I can answer that question or 15 games where he hasn’t contributed, but I just think take a breath. Do a bit of yoga. Think about the world for a second and make an assessment after that.

“We don’t have to rush to make judgement all the time because the alternative is he may have got off to a great start, he is fit, scored in all four games, is flying and then he goes through a patch like all strikers where he doesn’t score.

“What I look at is he has come in, fitted really well and quite logically has picked up an injury that has disrupted the way he wanted to start his career, but he’s still got plenty of time for that.

“I haven’t sensed (anxiety). I don’t sense that. In his mind, I think he just wants to be in a good physical condition so he can contribute. That is where he is at and the space we want him in.

“Hopefully he gets a bit of confidence out of the game time he got during the week and builds on that tomorrow. I’m sure as the season goes on he will be a real strong contributor for us.”

Solanke will start again against Brentford after Postecoglou delivered a mixed update on injuries.

Wilson Odobert (hamstring) is definitely out, but Yves Bissouma (groin) and Timo Werner are available.

Richarlison remains “a fair way off” with a calf issue.

Postecoglou added: “Wilson doesn’t look good, we are still waiting for it to settle down and get all the information but he will definitely be out for the next period.

“Bissouma trained today so he should be available for tomorrow. Timo is okay.

“(Richarlison) has still not trained with the first team so he is still a bit off.”