Bale injury blow for Ramos
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.
The Wales youngster injured his foot following a challenge from Birmingham midfielder Fabrice Muamba.
The Spurs head coach has more options in attack, with Jermain Defoe promising to deliver if given a run of starts – and he also believes he can form a partnership with any of the strikers at White Hart Lane.
Defoe is yet to play a full match since Ramos’ appointment. But Robbie Keane’s suspension and Darren Bent’s limited impact offers the head coach a chance to look at the 25-year-old.
Keane and Dimitar Berbatov’s partnership was a problem for Defoe under Jol, although he still managed to score 18 goals last season for Spurs. Ramos also prefers the Keane-Berbatov axis, but Defoe feels he can complement any striker at White Hart Lane.
Spurs fear losing Defoe for nothing at the of next season when his contract runs out, yet no new deal has been agreed while the striker has been struggling for starts. The England forward has revealed the frustration of watching from the sidelines but has also underlined his commitment to Spurs. “A lot of people have said things about contracts. But if I am totally honest, if I did not want to be at this club, then I wouldn’t be here – simple as that,” he said.
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