Jose Mourinho has revealed that Gareth Bale is suffering from illness and was not fit enough to make the Tottenham squad to take on Crystal Palace.
Spurs will go three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a victory at Selhurst Park on Sunday ahead of the Reds' game against Fulham later on Sunday.
But some eyebrows were raised when Bale was not even named on the bench ahead of the encounter.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, however, Mourinho explained that the Welsh winger is ill - but it is not Covid-19 related.
"He doesn't feel very well," Mourinho said. "Of course I want to say that no coronavirus, no he tested [negative]. No chance.
"But kind of a flu, this kind of this little feeling he is not feeling so well."
Mourinho appeared wary of the challenge that will face his side from the Eagles after they thrashed West Bromwich Albion 5-1 at the Hawthorns last weekend.
He added: "For us it's not about being league leaders but it's about a match we want to win. We have said since the beginning of the season that it doesn't matter where we are or who we are against, we want to win.
"We know how good they are. They are a very good team, very experienced starting from the bench and ending on the pitch.
"They have quality players that can hurt you in many different situations - set pieces, counter attacks, organised play and crosses to the box where they always have important guys there.
"They are a very difficult team."
Bale will be desperately hoping to be fit again for Spurs' potentially huge game in the title race as they take on Liverpool on Wednesday, followed by Leicester next Sunday.
