Gareth Bale to miss Premier League opener, says Tottenham Hostspur boss Villas-Boas

Bale (left) sat out Wales’ friendly against the Republic of Ireland in midweek and is going to miss Spurs’ Premier League opener against Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that last year’s Premier League Player of the Year, Gareth Bale, will miss the start of the season due to a foot injury, Sky Sports reports.

The winger sat out of Wales’ mid-week international friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Wednesday.

Bale has not played since July as he reportedly had a gluteal problem followed by a foot injury.

Bale’s transfer saga has so far overshadowed Spurs’ league preparations, but the North London Club have held on to their star player as they rejected a world record bid from Spanish and European giants Real Madrid.

It remains to be seen where Gareth Bale’s future lies but what is for sure is that he will miss the Premier League curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace on Sunday:

“No, because he’s been out injured for most of pre-season,” Villas-Boas said at the Premier League 2013-14 season launch, when asked if Bale was involved in his plans for the start of the new term.

“He was involved in the games against Brentford and Swindon but not any others, for different reasons; pulled a muscle in his gluteus that prevented him from being involved for two weeks and he’s been complaining of pain in the foot.

“I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace.”

Villas-Boas publicly confirmed the club’s position on Bale’s future:

“We’ve been very, very clear with everybody regarding the player and our willingness to hold on to him.

“Obviously in football, anything can happen in the end, but this is a player we cherish a lot and has helped us progress and ideally we want to continue with him.”

It was earlier reported by sources inside the Wales camp that Bale does not want to play for the Spurs anymore.