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Tottenham will want striker Dominic Solanke back as soon as possible as they stew on an underwhelming August despite some positive performances.

Spurs performed well enough to win all three of their first three league matches but sloppy defensive moments and poor finishing at Leicester and Newcastle cost them.

But they also blew away Everton at home and after the international break an emotional North London derby awaits where the return of Solanke may be key to add a ruthless touch in attack.

Solanke is key for Ange Postecoglou amid consistent injury issues with Richarlison and because the other new signings – Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert – are all teenagers.

The youthful nature of the recruitment is somewhat similar to the rebuild under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal but it got worse before it got better under the Spaniard before he began masterminding title challenges.

It’s a warning to Spurs about what is to come if they don’t begin picking up points more regularly.