Spurs star Bale out for rest of season

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale is to miss the rest of the season with a ruptured ankle ligament, the English Premier League club announced after the Wales star underwent a scan.

A Tottenham statement added Bale, following consultations with an ankle specialist, will remain in a protective boot for up to 12 days before beginning rehabilitation, with the player expected to be fit for the start of pre-season.

Bale had to be carried off on a stretcher following a challenge by Charlie Adam during Spurs' 1-1 draw with Blackpool on Saturday.

Before the scan details were announced, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had already ruled Bale out of Tuesday's match against Manchester City, a fixture that will have a key bearing on the race for the fourth Champions League place on offer to English clubs.

And he added Bale was likely to miss Spurs' remaining games, against Liverpool and Birmingham.

Spurs are six points behind fourth-placed City and so need to win their three remaining matches if they are to overhaul Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled side.

Bale, 21, alerted the whole of Europe to his ability with two barnstorming displays against Inter Milan in the group phase of this season's Champions League and his form saw the winger named player of the year by England's Professional Footballers' Association.

Redknapp, though, stressed Tottenham, who have seen Bale sidelined by hamstring and back problems this season, were well capable of coping without their rising star.

"It's a blow but we have been without Gareth quite a bit recently," Redknapp said. "He has had injuries and he hasn't really come back from those injuries to the form (he was in before).

"It's been difficult for him. The injuries have knocked him back.

"He has had a fantastic season. The first three-quarters of the season, he was unplayable. He was making goals and scoring goals and he won player of the year.

"Over the last couple of months the injury has taken its toll on him. During that time he hasn't quite been the same boy and now he has another injury that rules him out again."

Even before the full extent of Bale's injury was confirmed, Redknapp admitted Tottenham's chances of playing in the Champions League for a second successive season had all been but extinguished.

"It will take a miracle," said Redknapp. "Roberto Mancini has got a fantastic squad.

"They're in a great position. They are six points ahead of us and they have a better goal difference by miles."