Gareth Bale is reportedly desperate to get a run of matches in the Tottenham team as he looks to build up fitness ahead of this summer's European Championships.
The 31-year-old forward has found game-time hard to come by since his return to Spurs on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, and still has not managed to complete 90 minutes in any competition.
He has once again struggled with injury issues, and there are rumours of a fall-out with manager Jose Mourinho, who appeared to suggest Bale lacked "desire" after leaving him out of the squad to take on Everton in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
But according to The Times Bale already has one eye on Wales' Euros campaign this summer - and will plead with Mourinho to give him the opportunity to get up to speed ahead of the tournament with a regular run of games.
It is a mentality that is unlikely to go down well with either Mourinho or Spurs fans, however, who may not be best pleased that Bale seems to be prioritising international football over everything else.
Speaking last November about his fitness, Bale said: "Leading into the Euros in the summer, that’s where I want to be peaking.
"The more games I’m playing the better the body is adapting. It takes a bit of time when you’re a bit older, but I am excited to get back to full fitness."
It remains to be seen if Bale returns to the Spurs squad when they take on Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday.
But it appears highly unlikely he will start the game, with Mourinho seemingly still unconvinced by both Bale's condition and mentality.
He has so far proved to be a hugely expensive error for the club, with Spurs paying him £250,000-a-week.
This means each of his paltry four goals have cost the club a staggering £3.4m each, with Bale earning an eye-watering £17,400 for every minute he has played so far.
