In-form Bale might have to settle for Spurs’ bench at Fulham

Jose Mourinho has said that Gareth Bale might have to be content with a place on the bench for Tottenham Hotspur’s game at Fulham tonight.

The Wales international put in his best display of the season with two goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Burnley on Sunday. But Mourinho continues to insist that Bale’s time on the pitch must be managed carefully as he recovers from an injury-hit season and two years of inactivity at Real Madrid. However, he will definitely be involved at Craven Cottage, either from the start or off the bench.

“I believe so. Start the game, being on the bench, I don’t know. We have to decide,” Mourinho said.

“He’s such an experienced guy so, of course, his opinion is very important. But a good reaction, recovering session and he will be involved. I repeat: bench or starting but he’ll be there.”

Bale’s return to top form has been a long time coming as it looked like his loan return from Real Madrid was going to be a flop.

Asked why it had taken the 31-year-old so long to get to top form, Mourinho said: “Why for the past two years he had what he had in Madrid? Ask them. Maybe if they answer you, you can understand better why he took a while.

“Maybe to be patient was the main reason for him to reach the level he showed in the last couple of weeks.”

One player that will not be making the short trip across London is Giovani Lo Celso. Mourinho says the Argentine midfielder is still “one to two weeks away from being ready” and will not be risked.

While Spurs – eighth in the table and six points behind fourth-place West Ham – are looking to push themselves back towards a Champions League spot, opponents Fulham also have their eyes on a rise in position.

The Cottagers have lost just once in the past eight games, moving within striking distance of safety, just three points behind Newcastle and Brighton heading into the next round of fixtures.

Scott Parker, though, will not allow any attention to wander to what might transpire elsewhere over the next 12 games. “Never am I looking at a league table and that will be my stance through to the end of the season,” the Fulham manager said.

“We got to this point we are now by concentrating on us and what we need to do. Our sole focus is ‘us’.

“The energy you lose from worrying about the what-ifs is really negative and it can sink you.

“I cant afford to watch a game the night before our game hoping for something to happen or it doesn’t happen, then my performance levels drop as a coach of the team.”