Mourinho issues a challenge to Bale after Kane injury blow

The Real Madrid loanee has only made five appearances in the Premier League since returning to Spurs.

Jose Mourinho has challenged Gareth Bale to step up and prove his worth for Tottenham after Harry Kane’s ankle injury, which could rule the striker out for weeks.

Bale has endured a low-key return to north London since completing a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid. After various fitness issues and being frozen out altogether in Spain, he returned to Spurs eager to get his career back on track.

But the 31-year-old’s second spell in the Lilywhites’ jersey has been a disappointment. He has again suffered injury problems, leaving him to settle for game time in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions to regain his fitness.

With Kane out of the picture for a while at least, however, a window of opportunity may beckon for Bale to make his mark.

“It is a crucial moment for him, he feels better and better,” said Mourinho on Bale as quoted on Goal.

“When you lose a player of Harry’s quality, other players have to step up and hopefully Bale can help us.”

The Spurs manager also claims to have given Bale opportunities in his preferred position, despite the winger seeing very little action in the Premier League itself.

Mourinho added: “The position that [Bale] likes to play is the position we put him in every minute we give him, which is the correct side of the attack.”

Spurs will visit Brighton on Sunday night for their next Premier League match.