Bale out for only two weeks

PREMIER LEAGUE: Tottenham v Everton

Bale was carried off on a stretcher during the dying seconds of Spurs’ 2-2 draw against Basle on Thursday night, prompting fears the 22-goal striker could be out for a lengthy period.

The Welshman, Aaron Lennon and William Gallas — who also had to come off during the Europa League quarter-final first leg — all underwent scans yesterday and the news was positive for the London club.

Many thought Andre Villas-Boas was just being optimistic when he claimed on Thursday night that Bale would be out for a short time of around three weeks.

The way that David Degen trod on the 23-year-old’s standing ankle, twisting it almost at a right angle to his right leg, led to a shriek from the player and Spurs fans inside White Hart Lane feared the worst.

Yet the results of yesterday’s scan are even better than Villas-Boas expected with the Welshman possibly missing two matches — tomorrow’s Premier League visit of Everton and next Thursday’s second leg against Basle.

He is scheduled to return to training before Tottenham’s crunch match against champions Manchester City on April 21.

Tomorrow’s clash against top-four rivals Everton is a game with potentially big implications for both sides.

Toffees boss David Moyes has been named manager of the month for March after three straight wins at Goodison Park and must maintain their winning form if they are to retain any chance of sneaking into a Champions League berth.

With trips to Arsenal and Chelsea still to come, Moyes knows it is not going to be easy.

However, a win at White Hart Lane would reduce the gap on their hosts to just three points, with their task made significantly easier by the Bale’s absence.

“We are moving to Plan B,” said the Scot.

“It is unfortunate. We don’t want good players to be out because they are what makes the Premier League so special.

“But when you are the opposing manager against arguably the best player in the league at this moment in time, it is not a bad thing to have him out.”

Bale’s injury is a reminder of the increased demands European football can bring.

It is where Moyes wants to manage though.

“You hear me keep talking about how much I want to be back in Europe all the time,” he said.

“Europe does take its toll in league fixtures and if we made it, we would have to find a way of dramatically getting more players into our squad.

“But it can galvanise your club as well.”