Add as preferred source on Google

Jermaine Jenas has given a critical verdict on Tottenham’s Garth Bale, urging him to “break a sweat” when he’s on the pitch.

Bale, 31, rejoined Spurs in the summer on loan from Real Madrid, as he made a fairytale return to North London.

But the left-footed attacker has made just 15 appearances so far this season in all competitions, scoring four goals.

The Welsh right-winger has had a stop-start campaign so far with injury problems and missed the FA Cup defeat to Everton in midweek.

Additionally, his manager Jose Mourinho wasn’t sure on Friday if he’d be available for Saturday’s Premier League tie with Manchester City,

Jenas, who is a former teammate of Bale, admitted he’d like to see a bit more from him the Spurs wide player when he’s on the pitch.

“When you watch Gareth play for Wales it’s a different ball game. He’s out there flying around, scoring goals, giving his all for his country and he has been done that, even when he’s not been playing for Real Madrid,” Jenas told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

“I’m not saying that I want 2009/10 Gareth Bale, no I’m definitely not expecting that. I’m expecting Gareth to be out there and I want to see him break a sweat. If there is an injury situation, I expect that to be out there.”

TBR’s View:

Bale has missed some games through injury this season, but whether there are still lingering problems from his lack of minutes in the past couple of years remains unclear.

If he can get back to anywhere near his best, Spurs will have a formidable front trio alongside him, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.

There is real pressure on him from supporters to deliver a couple of match-winning displays and they are waiting for him to really burst into life again.