Tottenham Hotspur’s preparations for the Brentford game are the subject of this update, published on 18 September 2026, reflecting the latest reports since the club’s pre-season schedule finished. James Maddison, Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke have all been pictured back in full training, giving Roberto De Zerbi fresh options as he settles on his group for the Premier League opener.
## Updated status for opening day match against Brentford
Spurs are preparing to face Brentford on the opening day of the 2026-27 Premier League season, and De Zerbi has used the closing stages of preparation to work out who is fit enough to be involved. The Italian guided an injury-hit squad to safety towards the end of last season, which is why fitness updates like this one carry extra weight with supporters.
The latest sessions have brought welcome news. Several players who missed pre-season fixtures have returned to group training, giving De Zerbi genuine selection options rather than enforced changes.
## Training return offers pre-match lift
Destiny Udogie and James Maddison were spotted in training ahead of the Brentford opener, having missed Tottenham’s pre-season fixtures. Both were managed carefully through the summer, so their return to full group sessions is a real boost for De Zerbi as he finalises his plans.
According to Standard Sport, Udogie and Maddison could feature in the matchday squad against Brentford, though neither is guaranteed to start. The outlet set out how each player is working back from a separate injury picked up last season.
“Destiny Udogie is being managed carefully after a succession of muscular injuries last season, as is James Maddison, who is still working up fitness from an ACL injury suffered last summer.
“The pair, though, are pushing to be involved against Brentford.”
That reporting points to a gradual reintroduction rather than any promise of minutes, with the final call likely to rest with De Zerbi closer to kick-off.
## De Zerbi’s squad rebuild ahead of the deadline
De Zerbi has been busy in the transfer market, bringing in six new signings ahead of the deadline as he builds on a campaign that ended in Premier League safety rather than crisis. That business follows questions around the frontline rebuild that surrounded the club heading into the summer.
The recruitment drive has run alongside careful management of fitness and depth, with De Zerbi’s new summer signings adding competition for places across the squad. That depth explains why the return of established names such as Maddison and Udogie matters so much: De Zerbi now has decisions to make rather than gaps to plug.
## Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur injury status
The injury picture for Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur has improved heading into the opener, with three key names now back involved in training. Udogie, Maddison and Dominic Solanke have all returned to work, though none has been confirmed as fit to start.
Standard Sport reports that Udogie is being managed carefully following muscular injuries last season, while Maddison continues to build fitness after the ACL injury he suffered last summer. Both are described as pushing to be involved against Brentford.
Solanke has also been spotted in full training following earlier injury reports, separate from Standard Sport’s original reporting on Udogie and Maddison. His return gives De Zerbi another attacking option to weigh up, though there is no confirmation yet over his readiness to start.
## What happens next
De Zerbi is expected to confirm his matchday squad closer to kick-off, once the final training sessions before Brentford are complete. Fitness updates on Maddison, Udogie and Solanke look set to be the main talking point when that team news arrives.
The transfer window activity will not fade from view either. With six new arrivals now in the squad, competition for places is sharper than at any point last season, and how De Zerbi blends his group against Brentford should offer an early sign of his plans for the campaign. For the original details on Udogie and Maddison’s fitness, see the Standard Sport report on the triple injury boost.
