Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that winger Gareth Bale will be unavailable for the start of the Premier League season.
The Wales international is believed to be at the centre of transfer talks between Spurs and Real Madrid, who are said to have lodged an £85m bid for the prolific player.
The 24-year-old has been out of action for the last couple of weeks with injury, which Villas-Boas has claimed will put him on the sidelines for the club's opening match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
When asked by Sky Sports News if Bale would be in the squad this weekend, Villas-Boas said: "No, because he's been out injured for most of the pre-season.
"He's been complaining with a pain in the foot. The most natural thing is for him not to be involved in any of the new games coming against Palace."
Reports have claimed that Bale is eager to make the move to the Bernabeu this summer.
Danielle Joynson
