Bale has scored 20 goals this season - comfortably his best return as a professional - and his manager thinks the Welshman is primed to cause yet more damage to Inter when the two teams lock horns in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at White Hart Lane.

``I think Gareth has evolved as player. He is even more threatening now,'' the Tottenham manager told a press conference.

``I remember seeing the highlights of Inter - Tottenham, and how Tottenham came back into the game late on.

``Maicon was an outstanding right-back, one of the Brazilian right backs, so to see a young player like Gareth play like he did against him demonstrates his talent.

``Now, two years on, he plays in a different position. He's become a different player; a bigger player and a more complete player.

``He's the kind of player who can determine the outcome of a game, as we've seen in recent matches.''

``He is fine. Most of the players feel fine and fresh,'' the Portuguese said.

``There is a lot of rest time between a Thursday and a Sunday (when Spurs play Liverpool.''

Villas-Boas confirmed that striker Emmanuel Adebayor has only a slim chance of playing due to a knee injury he suffered in Sunday's north London derby win.

The manager is likely rotate his goalkeepers again, with Hugo Lloris making way for Brad Friedel.

Inter's plans to stop Bale tearing them apart once again have been hit by an injury crisis.

Inter had hoped to mark the 23-year-old out of the game but they are without defenders Matias Silvestre and Yuto Nagatomo while serious doubts remain over the fitness of international centre-backs Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel.

Coach Andrea Stramaccioni, who could also be without midfielder Fredy Guarin due to injury, has had to call six youth players up to his squad.

``My team should be aware of Bale's strengths, but obviously, the problem now is I don't have too many players available,'' Stramaccioni said.

``This is a very important game for us, but unfortunately we have lots of injuries.

``We gave a few of them tests this morning, but most of them are still struggling and we don't want to risk anyone.

``The Europa League is important, but we don't want anyone to get longer-term injuries. Our main target is third place in our league.

``That's why we brought six young players here. It's going to be difficult.''

Despite their injuries, Inter arrived in London today full of confidence having come from 2-0 down at the weekend to beat Catania and move up to fourth in Serie A.

A row between Antonio Cassano and Stramaccioni has threatened to overshadow the team's trip to the English capital, however.

Stramaccioni, who replaced Claudio Ranieri as coach in March, dropped Cassano from the game in Catania after he fell out with the Italy striker, but the two appear to have patched up their differences.

``Antonio is here with us,'' Stramaccioni said.

``He trained regularly this morning. I don't know if he will be in the team, but I'm sure he's going to be important one way or another tomorrow for us. I don't have any issues with him.''

http://espnfc.com/en/preview/362171/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

totenham all the way....Bale will score 4 sure......dont u remember what happened in d champions league? It was a tough match wont miss dis

Halamilano

I think Gareth Bale is an over rated player.Yes he has scored a lot of goals& determined d outcome of some matches,but I think he has just bn lucky wt d average talent he has.If he dares get transferred to anoda club,outside d premiership,his "averageness" wud b exposed.All d same I wish Tottenham luck,dey did Arsenal a great favor by defeating dem in dat most important of London derbies,now d manager,board&chairman wud b under intense pressure to make away wt a lot of d mediocre players dey parade as a team& luk for real talents wt a manager dat knows what he's doing bc I honestly feel Arsene Wenger has lost d technical/managerial knowhow needed to guide a team vying for @least a top four spot

c'mon Inter!!

Game on!

see idiotic bale overrated goat

bale scores for spuds mtchewww!

mukina2: see idiotic bale overrated goat

overated indeed ...... BALE !!!!!!!!!!!!

face front i dey vex

inter berra score now o

inter's defence is scary choi .. i hope spuds wont score more see senseless defending

mukina2: face front i dey vex

inter berra score now o

you dey joke , una no fit beat the , na this inter team you come dey trust

bale just they do wetin him like

yellow card bale for diving

chimp bale mtn for diving

senior diver in chief

fredoooooo:

you dey joke , una no fit beat the , na this inter team you come dey trust

inter will win

bale should stop diving haba

see cambiasso head dey shine like muki own without wig

mukina2:
inter will win

bale should stop diving haba

bad belle , stand up stand up for the new king in north london

kovacic focus jor!

kovacic too mch

fredoooooo:

bad belle , stand up stand up for the new king in north london

they are only good in releasing dvds

na wa o

inter need prayers

2- 0

sigudsson 2-0 spuds

goal

mukina2:
they are only good in releasing dvds

mukina2: na wa o

inter need prayers

2- 0

na dis kind team you get hope on , imagine that no 40 wey dey run like granma , na him go mark lennon , you go seee something dor second half

cassano don start with drama , i beg stand up jo

see as inter dey play like a 2nd div team

defoe na midget

One of the linesmen is against spurs and he is not hidding it. I think he is an arsenal fan

almost 3 , bale again