Bale fighting injury battle

Tottenham full-back Gareth Bale faces a race to be fit for his club debut this weekend as Martin Jol’s defensive concerns intensify ahead of the Barclays Premier League season.

Bale has struggled in pre-season with thigh and knee problems and Spurs are already without skipper Ledley King for the trip to Sunderland as they start their bid to break into the top four.