Bale injury blow for Ramos

JUANDE RAMOS’ need to bolster Tottenham’s left flank has intensified following news Gareth Bale is likely to miss the next three months with a foot injury.

Bale, the 18-year-old Wales left-back, will undergo an exploratory examination to determine the extent of a sprained ligament in his right foot – an injury sustained last week against Birmingham. Benoit Assou-Ekotto is out for the season with a knee injury, and Ricardo Rocha is still out with an ankle problem. At the moment, Young-Pyo Lee is the only recognised left-back available.

Spurs are refusing to rush back Bale, despite the shortage of numbers in defence. “Gareth is obviously disappointed to be sidelined for this length of time. But he is still young, and we have to do what is best for him in the long-run,” said Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli.