Andre Villas-Boas relieved to welcome Gareth Bale back injury-free

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has expressed his relief in having winger Gareth Bale back from international duty in one piece.

The 23-year-old's fitness was in doubt during Wales's World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Croatia, but the prolific player has since returned to White Hart Lane fully fit.

"For us club coaches we are happier when [the players] return and when they return with no injuries," BBC Sport quotes Villas-Boas as saying.

"We've been lucky because of the change of habits, the change of training, the travelling, there are always minor issues that can happen. But most of the boys are here and most of the boys are fine. Gareth is fine."

Spurs have lost their last two Premier League fixtures, but remain four points clear in fourth place.