By Sam Bisby
1 Apr 2011 13:55:00
EPL ; Gareth Bale, Newcastle United v Tottenham (Getty images)
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Harry Redknapp has conceded that Tottenham will be without Gareth Bale for their Premier League clash with Wigan on Saturday, but remains confident that the Welshman’s hamstring complaint will subside in time for him to line-up against Real Madrid in next week’s Champions League showdown.
The midfielder missed Wales’ Euro 2012 qualifier defeat to England, after feeling tightness in his hamstring during training.
And while Redknapp bemoans the loss of his wing wizard for a match which insists is as important as the midweek clash with Real, as his seek a top-four finish again, the Spurs boss remains confident of Bale’s involvement at the Bernabeu.
“We’ve got a few knocks at the moment,” Redknapp told reporters. “Gareth Bale is not fit for tomorrow Saturday’s match against Wigan. His hamstring is still a little bit tight.”
“You never know with those injuries,” replied Redknapp – when quizzed on the likelihood of Bale’s involvement on Wednesday, “you can’t tell with hamstrings.
“Until he pushes it we wouldn’t be sure.”
“It’s a vital game tomorrow,” he added. “If he was fit I’d play him at Wigan, for sure, but he’s not available.
“Tomorrow’s all important for us. I can’t even look at Tuesday.”
“We still want to do our best to make that top four, that’s our aim,” Redknapp continued. “We’ve got to look to get Champions League football for sure next year if we can.
“So we’ve got to keep picking up points.”
And the Tottenham chief confirmed another injury blow ahead of their trip the DW Stadium, with the news that William Gallas is also out of contention.
“William Gallas as well,” Redknapp added, “his knee is giving him problems at the moment. So they’re both certainly not fit.”
Gallas joins defenders Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Younes Kaboul on the sidelines as Spurs’ defensive crisis intensifies, with Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong the only recognised defenders available to Redknapp.
Original post:
Gareth Bale ruled out of Wigan clash but could yet face Real Madrid – Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp