Gareth Bale to change squad number

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale has confirmed that he will be wearing a new squad number during the coming season.

The 23-year-old began his career as a left-back and has worn the number three on his back since arriving from Southampton in 2007.

However, for the past 18 months Bale has been deployed regularly as a winger and during Spurs' pre-season tour of North America he has played as a forward, wearing the number nine shirt.

Bale told Sky Sports News that he is "not a left-back anymore" and has asked the club for a "higher number".

He also said that he would be "happy to do a job" as a striker if Andre Villas-Boas choses to select him in that position.

The Welshman scored two goals in three appearances during his side's trip to the USA.