Bale is ready to fly according to Mourihno

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho says Gareth Bale has worked hard to improve his fitness levels. The Portuguese manager added that the Wales forward would be ready to “fly” when he takes the field against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League later on Thursday.

The player had been nursing a knee injury since his return to Spurs last month on a season-loan loan from Real Madrid but has got up to speed in recent weeks. Last month Tottenham said in a statement on their official website which accompanied the announcement of Bale’s arrival: “Gareth sustained a knee injury whilst playing for Wales on international duty earlier this month and this together with La Liga’s later start compared to the Premier League; means he has had a limited pre-season.

Mourinho confirmed Bale would start the Group J match and was confident the Wales international was ready to deliver.

“Bale is playing and we all have not just a feeling but the data to show that Bale is arriving”. Mourinho said.

“He’s been quite a great example for everybody. A big guy like him traveled to Burnley, stayed on the bench for 90 minutes, didn’t play one minute.

“His behavior as a team guy is incredible. We can see already Gareth at a good level and hopefully he can fly; because he’s working very hard.”