Tottenham may have to do without Gareth Bale for Thursday's crunch clash against Chelsea after manager Harry Redknapp revealed the pacy winger is struggling with an ankle injury. 

Bale sprained his ankle during training on Friday and missed Sunday's 1-0win over Sunderland at White Hart Lane. 

The Londoners felt Bale's absence dearly as they lacked the pace and penetration the Welshman offers in devastating fashion down the left flank, and they received another blow when Aaron Lennon had to come off in the first half with a suspected hamstring tear.

The England winger will have a scan on the injury and will definitely miss Thursday night's derby, while Bale is also a doubt. 

Redknapp said: 'Bale has sprained his ankle. He just did it in training. He thought it was okay, then he went home had a little rest and couldn't put any weight on it.' The Spurs boss is more confident about Jermain Defoe's chances of being available. 

The striker also sat out the win over Sunderland, which came courtesy of a Roman Pavlyuchenko strike, because of a hamstring problem but should be available for the game against the Blues. 

'Lennon has got no chance for Thursday. It'll be weeks if it's a tear,' Redknapp said. 

'There's every chance Defoe will be fit. He's only got a grade one tear and he's desperate to play, the little fella.'
Sunderland went back to Wearside unlucky not to have taken a point in what was Martin O'Neill's second game in charge. 

The Black Cats dominated parts of the first half and would have scored had Brad Friedel not saved well from Kieran Richardson and Sebastian Larsson. 
O'Neill's tenure at the Stadium of Light started well after his team came from behind to snatch a victory against Blackburn, but the euphoria around Sunderland soon made way for disappointment after it emerged that Nicklas Bendtner and Lee Cattermole had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. 

'I have spoken to them,' O'Neill said of the duo, who both started the game on the bench. 
'What you have to do is wait for legal process to run its course.'

Spurs’ run of 10 wins and a draw have included four clean sheets and 28 goals which has seen them climb up to third in the league and given them confidence to push for the title.

Bale has also been in spectacular form, bagging five goals and four assists in 13 games so far, and the Welshman believes it is the hard work behind him that allows him and the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael Van Der Vaart to steal the headlines with their goal scoring exploits.

"I just think we've got the balance right," Bale told Spurs' official website.

"We've Scott Parker in the team now and he covers every blade of grass, closes everyone down and gives us that security in midfield.

"Younes (Kaboul) and Ledley (King) have been great, (goalkeeper) Brad (Friedel) and the full-backs have been playing well and that gives us front five the licence to attack as much as we can and that has got us the goals."

Spurs have conceded only eight goals during their winning spell, while the attacking unit have bagged 29 goals, and Bale believes the fact that all aspects of the Tottenham team are firing at the moment has contributing to their record-equalling run of form.

"We're all playing with so much confidence at the moment," he added.

"Even if we're on the back foot or teams are attacking us, we've got the pace to hit them on the counter-attack," added Bale. "It's good to have that in our armoury."

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has broken his silence regarding the Spanish club's reported interest in Gareth Bale and said he values the Tottenham winger at less than £33 million.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola is believed to be a huge fan of Bale after watching his performances in the Champions League last season and sent chief scout Albert Valentine to assess the Wales international during Spurs' 2-1 win at Fulham last Sunday.

Tottenham have said repeatedly they are not willing to sell Bale, but interest from a number of European suitors has pushed his value up to around £50 million.

Barcelona chief Rosell would not confirm his club's interest in Bale but said if they were to make a bid the European champions would not pay over the odds.

"I do not know if Bale interests us," Rosell told Al Jazeera. "If I did, I would not say, because his price would go up, [Tottenham] would not ask for €40 million, but €50 million.

"In any case, even if we wanted him, we would never pay €40 million (£33.2 million) for him."

Bale, 22, signed for Spurs from Southampton for £7 million in 2007 and is under contract until 2015.

Gareth Bale is being scrutinised by Barcelona scouts amid reports Josep Guardiola is preparing a £35 million bid for the Welshman.

The Catalan giants' chief scout, Albert Valentine, was present at Spurs' 3-1 over Fulham on Sunday.

Winger Bale scored during the encounter and also had a hand in Aaron Lennon's goal, although Barca are understood to have a more defensive role in mind for the 22-year-old.

The Welshman is considered a solution for Barcelona's left-back position, currently occupied by Frenchman Eric Abidal and Brazilian Adriano, who are considered weak links in the Spanish side.

However, Guardiola can expect a tough fight to sign Bale from Tottenham, who stood their ground in Chelsea's pursuit of highly rated playmaker Luka Modric during the summer.

Despite very public objections by the Croatian, chairman Daniel Levy refused to sell the midfielder, despite talks of a bid of up to £40 million being tabled.

Bale is contracted to remain at White Hart Lane until 2015 where he has flourished under the stewardship of Harry Redknapp.

He came to the fore in Europe during Tottenham's 4-3 defeat by 2010 Champions League winners Inter Milan, when he scored a hat-trick for the ten-man side at the San Siro.

Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale will not play for Great Britain at the Olympics if it threatens Wales' independence, according to midfielder Dave Edwards.

Both players have been photographed in a GB supporters' shirt and have voiced their desire to play at the Games.

Wales oppose the team and manager Gary Speed has spoken to the players this week to explain their stance.

"They are proud Welshman and I don't think they would do anything to put the country in jeopardy," said Edwards.

"They are well-mannered men and they've got their feet very firmly grounded.

"It'll be a decision they won't take lightly - it would be very thoughtful and they'll take everything into consideration before they do make that decision."

Speed has revealed that Wales players will not be told to reject any offer they might receive to play for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics in London.

But, as the squad gathered in Newport on Tuesday to prepare for Saturday's friendly with Norway, the manager told the players why the Football Association of Wales felt that supporting the team could endanger their independence.

The photographs of Ramsey and Bale in a GB shirt have upset many Wales fans, and a supporters' group is planning a protest during Saturday's friendly to urge Wales players not to play at the Olympics.

Edwards says he can understand the hostile reaction from the fans, but suggests that the two players may well have been unwitting participants.

"It's something they were probably told to do by their sponsors and they didn't think anything of it," said the Wolves midfielder.

"It's just been blown out of proportion a little bit, so I do feel for them. I don't think they were going out of their way to make any sort of arguments.

"I saw the photographs and didn't think too much of it but obviously there's been a bit of an uproar.

"But it's a very proud nation and you don't want to lose that individuality."

The Olympic football final will be played four days before Wales play their final warm-up match for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which begin three weeks later.

Edwards says his focus will be solely on the World Cup, saying: "It's everyone's dream to play in the World Cup and with the campaign starting closely after, we've got to be ready for those games."

Gareth Bale has risked the wrath of the Football Association of Wales and the country's football supporters by controversially posing in a British Olympic team supporters' shirt.

The FAs of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have been vehement in their opposition to a British football team in next year's London Olympics. Bale, who has 32 caps for Wales, has previously hinted that he would like to be part of a united British team and has given another clear indication by posing in the limited edition shirt which will be sold to fans.

A spokesman for the British Olympic Association said: "We have maintained all along that Team GB will allow for the consideration, and possible inclusion, of players from any of the home nations, so it only makes sense that Gareth would appear in the photo."

Bale is, however, the first and thus far only player to appear in the shirt. His status as Wales's most high-profile international makes that even more notable.

Jonathan Ford, the chief executive of the FAW, said: "Our position remains unchanged. We are not for Team GB. Gareth can make his own choices and make his own decisions. But we are not going to stop anyone playing."

Bale's own spokesman added: "While he is 100% Welsh, he is also British."

The shirt modelled by Bale is blue with a white and red trim. As part of the design, a union flag is painted into the body. The design of the actual strip to be worn by the team, which will be managed by Stuart Pearce, is yet to be revealed.

The associations in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland fear the potential loss of their independent football status if they agree with players competing for a Great Britain team. These countries are also thought to be keen to protect the positions they hold on the International Football Association Board.

Bale's club manager, Harry Redknapp, has said he would have no problem with the 22-year-old turning out for a British team. "If that's what he wants, then I wouldn't stop him playing," Redknapp said. "I think it's a great honour for anyone to play in an Olympic Games. It must be fantastic, something to look back on for years to come.

"To play in the Olympic Games in England, I think it would be a great honour for any player. I certainly wouldn't stop anyone going."

Gareth Bale gave Harry Redknapp the perfect get-well present after scoring the first goal in Tottenham’s 3-1 win at Fulham.

Manager Redknapp watched from home following minor heart surgery as his side went level on points with Chelsea in fourth place thanks to further goals from Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe at Craven Cottage.

Spurs were earlier dealt a blow after Redknapp revealed doctors have told him to stay away from the training ground for at least four or five weeks following minor heart surgery.

Redknapp had hoped to be back at Spurs Lodge training ground within two weeks after being discharged from hospital on Thursday. 

And he had planned to watch from the stands on Sunday afternoon.

But Redknapp, 64, has been advised to stay and rest at his Dorset residence before returning to the White Hart Lane touchline after the international break.

The Spurs boss said: '(Doctors recommend) I shouldn't even think about football for four or five weeks ... but I'll see how I go. I'm hoping to be back before then.'

Redknapp could now miss seven crucial games in total for the club who are pushing for Champions League qualification once again this term.

The north London club now face Aston Villa at home, West Bromwich away, a Europa League clash with PAOK Salonika, followed by Bolton at home and Stoke away.

The club lost their first game without the former West Ham boss - a 1-0 defeat to Rubin Kazan on Thursday night in Russia.

Control of team affairs has been handed over to assistants Kevin Bond, Joe Jordan and Clive Allen. 

Redknapp has said doctor's advice was merely to put his feet up 'for the next couple of weeks'.

He said: 'That's handy because after this weekend we have a break for international matches coming up anyway.

'After that I'll be back in at Tottenham and back on the training pitch.'
The defiant Poplar-born man is looking forward to returning to the challenges of Premier League management.

He added: 'This isn't going to stop me doing the job I love.'

I love my football and won't be walking away any time soon. I can assure everyone I'm doing okay.

'It won't stop me running - I might even do the marathon one day.'

Chelsea are reportedly planning to launch a £40million bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale next season.
Bale, who is believed to be a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid, revealed back in September that he is open to a move away from the north London club in the future.But the 22-year-old also stated he wanted to play abroad - although not before getting Spurs back into the Champions League.It is thought that missing out on the Champions League at the end of the current campaign could tempt Bale to look for a move away from White Hart Lane, and according to Caughtoffside.com, the Wales international is on Chelsea's radar, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich said to be ready to offer £40m for his services.How successful Chelsea will be remains to be seen, with Spurs highly unlikely to let the winger leave the club either in the New Year or next summer.Bale's team-mate, playmaker Luka Modric, is also still a target for the west London club.

The in-form midfielder has claimed that while the Cottagers are a tough team to beat at home for his side, they enter the game with momentum that could lead to victory.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale believes that his side’s recent unbeaten streak can help them secure a result in their historically tough encounter with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Harry Redknapp’s men are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, and the Welshman believes that, while Martin Jol’s side are tough to beat, Spurs’ momentum can carry them through.

"It's a tough place to go. Fulham are a team that work hard, they're always organised which makes it difficult when you're playing away from home," he told Spurs TV Online.

"When we're on a winning streak like we are now, there's always a buzz about the place and training is a lot more fun! 

“At the moment it's going really well but we're not getting carried away.

"Everybody is buzzing at the moment. We know we're in good form and we know we need to keep it up.

“Newcastle won on Monday night which was a little bit disappointing for us, but it's a long, hard season and we know we need to keep improving.

"You go into games feeling much more confident when on a good run. You're on the front foot rather than the back, so we'll definitely be going out there looking to win the game. Hopefully we can get a great result and put that little bit of history to bed."

The winger also spoke of his respect for former Tottenham boss Jol, although he insisted that he would be doing him no favours during the match.

"I've spoken to him a few times since he's been away. He was a great manager and I think he did amazingly for the club,” he added.

“When I first came here he made me feel very welcome and settled me down very quickly. I wish him all the best for the future... apart from Sunday."

Fabio Capello is ready to rip up his winning England side and system tonight – all to stop Gareth Bale.

Capello believes containing Spurs star Bale is the key to denying Welsh hopes of a second-ever win at Wembley – some 34 years after the last.


And he is prepared to scrap the formation that saw England cruise to a 3-0 victory in Bulgaria on Friday after watching Bale drive Wales to a Euro 2012 victory against Montenegro.

With Craig Bellamy missing through suspension, the Italian views Bale as the only real threat to causing one of the great upsets in Welsh football.

But despite the ploy to keep the wide wizard quiet, Wales chief Gary Speed insists it will not stop his plans to make history at the home of English football.

He said: “I would not read too much in what Capello said.

“England will have looked at our game on Friday night and see how well Gareth played, Fabio will no doubt do the same as me and fine tune his system a bit.

“Every side we play against now will be looking at ways to stop Gareth.

“Hopefully Gareth will be a big part of what we do – but if they concentrate too much on him it leaves space elsewhere for others.”

Yet Capello admitted he will have no problem focusing his formation to stop Bale hurting the hosts, Theo Walcott in danger of the axe with Manchester City’s James Milner likely to come in and help out rookie right-back Chris Smalling.

Capello said: “We will probably change the side, in personnel and in system.

“We need to play differently because we are at home.

“But also because Bale is a really important player for Wales.

“I watched the game against Montenegro and he played really well.

“I saw the game against Man City last week and he was so-so and not at the top of his game.

“But for Wales he improved a lot and he is so fast it will be a problem to stop him.

“He attacked the space at speed and was fast like he was when he was playing at his best.

“He is difficult to deal with when he receives the ball and technically fantastic.

“Whether he plays on the left or the right I don’t know, but we will try and stop him.

“He makes the difference for Wales and we need to be careful every time he receives the ball and in one-on-ones.

“So we need to find a system to stop him – and stop the people who can pass the ball to him.”

Capello admits he is yet to finalise his selection for the clash where a victory could inch England closer to next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Frank Lampard is contending to return in the centre of midfield after being dropped in Bulgaria, but Milner’s threat to Walcott’s place is an indicator of what Capello thinks Wales’ aim will be at Wembley.

England have had a rocky record at Wembley of late, drawing with Montenegro, Ghana and Switzerland and losing to France in a mixture of competitive and friendly fixtures.

But they are yet to lose a qualifier at Wembley under Capello, and he said: “We have a good record at home.

“We won 11 games. This is not about fear. When we play away, we have players with a lot of quality.

“All the players play really well away from home because they find the space.

“We can counter-attack well and we have very good technical players who can make the most of the space. It’s easier for them to find the solutions.

“At home, the other team defends really well. They wait. They close the space.

“I think we have confidence, so the solution is to choose the best team for the job.”

So as much as Capello will plan to nullify Bale’s bombing runs down the left – or right – flank, his suggestion that teams are happy to “park the bus” underneath the arch does itself hint at a return for Lampard.

And although the 66-year-old simply stated “wait and see” about the Chelsea man’s chances of returning following his surprise Sofia dropping, he went on: “Lampard is a really important player.

“He is ready to play but I don’t know if he will play against Wales.

“Probably we can change the style from against Bulgaria, as we play at home.

“It will be a tough game, because Wales are playing well. I watched the game and they created a lot of chances against Montenegro.

“So I hope we will be lucky. It is different when we play away because we can find more space than at home.

“At home the opposition defends all the time and it’s difficult to score more goals.”

England are yet to sell out the clash, the prospect of taking on the bottom team in the group seemingly doing little for ticket sales despite the age-old border rivalry at stake.

A healthy walk-up crowd is expected while 1,500 are ready to make the trip across the border.

But they do so with Capello urging both sets of supporters to show a respect for the anthems.

It comes after an outcry over the racist chanting directed at some England players in Sofia from Bulgarian fans and after both anthems were booed in the Cardiff fixture.

Capello said: “Racism is one of the worst things of all.

“But another important thing is the respect for the other nations and their anthems.

“I remember this not happening in Cardiff and I did not like this.

“It is important for the fans like the players and management that at that moment you are representing the country.

“The shirt, the heart and the mind is for the country and you need to show the other nation respect for just one minute.”