Tottenham will struggle in top-four bid without Bale, says Allen

Clive Allen admits Tottenham face a “real problem” in their bid for a top-four finish after Gareth Bale was ruled out for at least two games with an ankle injury.

Bale landed awkwardly on his right ankle late in Spurs’ 2-2 Europa League draw with Basel at White Hart Lane on Thursday night and was carried off on a stretcher.

Andre Villas-Boas is optimistic the Welshman can return in time for Spurs’ clash with Manchester City on 21 April.

But ex-Tottenham striker Allen is concerned over his former side’s top-four chances, with Everton set to visit White Hart Lane on Sunday.

“It is a real problem that they are going to face now,” Allen told talkSPORT.

“Manu [Adebayor] has not particularly returned with his goals this year, his performances have been disappointing, and you just wonder where the goals are going to come from.

“They are going to have to spread goals around the team.”