Speaking ahead of this evening's game, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has worryingly ruled out Gareth Bale for their upcoming fixtures...

What's the news?

When asked about the fitness of the 31-year-old earlier in the week, he told reporters, via Sky Sports:

"No, I don't expect Gareth to be fit. I wouldn't say it's a serious injury, but I would say a few weeks."

It's not the first time that the Welsh superstar has been absent through some sort of problem this season. He arrived with a niggling issue and missed several matches at the start of this month too.

Likely impact?

Whilst Bale has only started seven of 11 matches in all competitions - just once in the Premier League - this news comes at the worst possible time as fixtures are coming thick and fast due to the nature of the schedule over the festive period.

It means rotation is paramount to any side truly wanting to contend for the title, which should account for Spurs as they did hold the lead at one stage.

And that right-wing position is certainly up for grabs as neither Steven Bergwijn nor Lucas Moura can cement their place as the starter.

The Real Madrid loanee has shown glimpses of his previous quality, bagging a total of three goals in three different competitions, so when fit, he may well become that option to have alongside Heung-min Son and Harry Kane.

Now valued at just £18m by Transfermarkt, Bale has it all to do in 2021 to convince the likes of Daniel Levy, Mourinho and even the hierarchy back in Spain that he's still got it.

He's a player that was once dubbed a "cannonball" by Arsene Wenger, one that ex-BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson lauded "special," and a sensation that even drew praise from Sir Alex Ferguson, who labelled him an "exciting" winger with "tremendous speed" - all via the Guardian.

It's a devastating blow to not have someone of that calibre unavailable as they face Fulham, Leeds United and a Carabao Cup semi-final in the space of a week.

AND in other news, Gary Mabbutt drops huge claim over Arsenal outcast...