Bale could face Real - Redknapp

Bale could face Real - Redknapp

Published Apr. 3, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

Bale sat out the 0-0 Premier League draw at Wigan on Saturday because of a hamstring injury which also forced him to miss Wales' defeat by England. However, William Gallas is likely to again be sidelined for the quarter-final first leg match in Spain. Redknapp said: "Gareth is okay, he has got a chance. He should be fit for the game. "As for Gallas he is struggling. Unless there is a big improvement in his knee I doubt if he will be fit." Redknapp believes having both Bale and Aaron Lennon fit and available will only boost their chances of success against Jose Mourinho's side. Lennon came on in the second half for Rafael Van der Vaart and Tottenham had their best spell of the match. Redknapp said: "We are going to need pace in wide positions if we plan to hit Real Madrid on the counter-attack. That is what we have been doing all season in Europe. "I felt when Lennon came on we perked up. He caused them problems then we gave the ball away again." Redknapp is hoping Tottenham give an improved performance after a draw at the DW Stadium that was not what either side wanted. Spurs are aiming to make the Champions League for a second successive season while Wigan are battling to beat the drop. Redknapp said: "Who knows, this might be a good point in the end. It is difficult to tell. "It is very difficult to win matches in this division. West Brom beat Liverpool, Chelsea couldn't win at Stoke and West Ham were beating Manchester United for most of the game. "We did not play well. That is not the way we normally play. It was one of those days. "I am sure the Real Madrid scout has gone home scared stiff. I did not enjoy the game at all. "It was an attacking team but we didn't really get hold of the ball and we weren't clever enough in the box. We normally pass the ball better." The best chance of the game fell to Wigan substitute Connor Sammon with two minutes left after he was set up by Mohamed Diame, who also came off the bench. However the former Kilmarnock striker saw his close-range effort beaten away by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Manager Roberto Martinez refused to be downhearted about Wigan's position even though the team's next three games are all on the road. He said: "I could not be more proud of my players than I am today. We showed how much we have improved and how far we have come. "I felt that off the ball we were outstanding. My players were tactically fantastic. "The whole team kept Spurs very quiet and I felt we edged a very good game of football. "It was just a pity that we couldn't get the goal that would have given us the three points this performance deserved. It is a also a shame the season is not starting now for us."

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