Premier League - Bale out after knee op

Eurosport - Wed, 03 Jun 12:49:00 2009

Tottenham full-back Gareth Bale has undergone knee surgery and now faces a race to be fit for the start of the next Premier League season.

FOOTBALL 2008 Premier League Tottenham Hotspur defender Gareth Bale - 0

The 19-year-old pulled out of Wales' World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku this week and an MRI scan showed a "medial meniscal tear", Spurs confirmed in a statement.

Bale played in his country's win over Estonia but the Football Association of Wales have insisted he did not pick up the problem during the friendly.

Spurs now expect him to be out for up to eight weeks, which would push him close to the new campaign. The teenager is still looking for his first win in the top flight after arriving from Southampton two years ago, although he has not been helped by injuries.

This season he has fallen behind Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the pecking order at left-back, with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp believing the youngster needs to work on his defending.

An injury could prevent Bale being used to raise money if he was deemed surplus to requirements, as Redknapp is expected to sell players as well as bolster his squad to improve on last season.

PA Sport

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  1. Bale needs both legs chopped off... enough said?!?!

    From surfwindsnow, on Thu 4 Jun 11:27PM

  2. Bale played well at the beging of his Spurs transfer,­ he got injured and never recovered, he is a brittle­ player a knock and hes gone. To Bale I like him to stay­ and improve left wing would be best his free kicks are­ good as Darren Anderton's. Keep faith and learn­ from Redknapp. its never easy being a Spurs player or­ a Fan! Its a rocky road to travel.

    From Mr Nightwolf, on Thu 4 Jun 12:48AM

  3. If his defending is so poor, which it is at the moment,­ maybe he should consider pushing up to work as a left­ winger. Has a great left foot, can cross well and can­ shoot aswell.

    From SCOTT, on Wed 3 Jun 5:20PM

  4. Gareth Bale dosent desefve to be playing in England

    From Dylan, on Wed 3 Jun 4:46PM

  5. He showed so much promise at Southampton that explains­ the reason why we made the move for him under Martin­ Jol, but was totally rubbish when he came over.­ Gaffer's said it all, improve on your defending and­ earn the right to play regularly for Tottenham­ Hotspur...

    From Erskine Sam, on Wed 3 Jun 9:39AM
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