Tottenham Hotspur could be exaggerating the extent of Gareth Bale's injury to prevent him going on international duty.
That's the verdict of journalist David Ornstein, who believes Spurs may be being "economical" in their handling of the winger to ensure he can hit the ground running when he returns.
Bale recently completed a season-long loan move back to the club he left seven years ago, bringing an end to a difficult period under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.
After what was already a difficult relationship between the pair, the 31-year old had reportedly further enraged the Frenchman by returning from international duty with a knee injury.
The problem has seemingly been picked up by Spurs, with reports Bale is not expected to make his debut until after the upcoming international break, with Wales set to take on bitter rivals England in a friendly on October 8, before a Nations League double header with Ireland and Bulgaria on the 11th and 14th.
As things stand, Bale is set to miss all three games, but Ornstein believes the extent of the injury may well have been exaggerated slightly.
“Bale does actually have a small injury at the moment, that’s going to keep him out for a couple of weeks," he said on his YouTube show Ask Ornstein.
“There were suggestions it could be longer, but I think that might be a bit economical, a bit clever [from Spurs] to make sure he doesn’t go away on the international break, and that he’s ready to go with Tottenham after that.”
Asked about Bale's fitness, boss Jose Mourinho would only say: "I don't know when Gareth can be back. The only thing that I know is that the motivation is high, he is so happy to be with a club of his heart."
Spurs face Man United in their final game before the international break on October 4. Their first game after the break is a home match against West Ham on October 17.
