Thomas Frank had been fairly coy when speaking about Randal Kolo Muani after Tottenham's draw with Manchester United.
The striker started in the 2-2 draw but was replaced at half-time. Early in the first half, Kolo Muani had collided awkwardly with Harry Maguire and went down holding his face, though he was able to continue.
"He actually struggled a little bit, but nothing big," Frank offered as an explanation after the match.
However, Kolo Muani has since pulled out of the France squad with a jaw problem. The fact that he will not require surgery on his fractured jaw is positive news, but his injury is yet another injury blow for Spurs.
The 26-year-old has only made four starts for Spurs but there has already been enough evidence to believe that any sort of lengthy absence would be a significant blow.
After a frustratingly persistent dead leg kept him on the sidelines for more than a month, Kolo Muani has made an impact in recent weeks.
He is a more physical athletic presence up front than Richarlison, holding the ball up well and also offering a threat in behind.
Kolo Muani produced a sublime touch to bring the ball out of the air against Copenhagen and provide the assist for Wilson Odobert.
The striker should have scored twice in the first half, wasting both opportunities in front of goal, but it was promising that he was getting in those positions.
Both those chances were set up by Xavi Simons and the pair were forming a better relationship, one which must now be parked.
With Dominic Solanke still out after ankle surgery and a return seemingly not imminent, Frank's forward options are limited.
Richarlison started the season impressively but has tailed off badly and it is tough to argue he deserves a run leading the line. The Brazilian's goal against Saturday helped put some gloss on what had otherwise been a really poor performance.
Mathys Tel has been more lively and produced a sharp finish off the bench against United. He could yet be called up into the Champions League squad if Kolo Muani is ruled out for 60 days.
Against Leeds before the last international break, Tel started with Simons, Odobert and Mohammed Kudus behind him and it was a fluid attack that worked nicely with plenty of rotation.
The problem is more physicality up front is going to be needed up front when Spurs face Arsenal and then Paris Saint-Germain in their next two matches.
Those are games where Frank would desperately hope to have the likes of Kolo Muani and Solanke available but he must do without.
The Spurs boss might have to get creative. He used a back three against PSG in August and it was effective.
Kudus could shift centrally as one of the two strikers, with the winger probably now Spurs' best option for holding the ball up and bringing others into play.
Frank has struggled all season to find consistency in attack and settle on combinations that work.
Kolo Muani leading the line appeared to have helped solve at least one dilemma, but Frank is now back searching for answers again.
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