Spurs: AVB Confirms Gareth Bale To Miss Crystal Palace Opener

by Joseph Dempsey

Sky Sports News. The 24-year-old has sat out the majority of Spurs's pre-season campaign with buttock and foot problems and wasn't involved in the recent games against Brentford and Swindon. He also sat out Wales's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland yesterday. Bale will remain with his Welsh teammates this week before returning to Tottenham ahead of the Premier League opener against Palace at the weekend, though according to manager Andre Villas-Boas is not expected to take part. When asked if the midfielder would play a part in the game against Ian Holloway's side, Villas-Boas replied:

"No, because he has been out injured most of pre-season."
Rumours over Bale's future continue to swirl with the Welshman continuing to be linked with a world-record-transfer move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been making efforts to distance himself from the speculation, saying recently that Bale "is not in his plans". But news that Bale could be set for a £100 million move to the Bernabeu continues to intensify and you have to wonder if the double PFA Player of the Year has already played for Tottenham for the final time.

Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.