Harry Redknapp hopeful Dubai break will aid Gareth Bale's recovery

Posted Friday, February 25, 2011 by theguardian.com

• Welsh winger could be available for return tie against Milan
• But Redknapp does not believe that his side are favourites

Harry Redknapp hopeful Dubai break will aid Gareth Bale's recovery
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is hopeful that a break in Dubai will aid Gareth Bale's recovery from injury.

Harry Redknapp is hopeful that Tottenham Hotspur's warm weather training break in Dubai will ensure Gareth Bale returns for the Champions League last-16 second leg against Milan at White Hart Lane on 9 March.

Redknapp's squad flew out on Thursday to join the manager, who had arrived earlier to attend a horse racing meeting, for the week-long session in the emirate. Bale has now been out for a month, having not featured for Spurs since the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on 22 January and missed the opening game against Milan at San Siro, which Redknapp's team won 1-0 after a late goal from Peter Crouch.

Speaking in Dubai Redknapp was asked if the warm weather would aid Bale's recovery for the visit of Milan next month. He said: "Hopefully. He's back in training today so we'll look at him tomorrow.

"He's started to run, which is good, so he could be available. He's an important player for us. Hopefully there will be a bit of sunlight, Bale is back and a few of the others."

All of Tottenham's squad have flown to Dubai, including Rafael van der Vaart, Tom Huddlestone, Alan Hutton, Ledley King, Vedran Corluka and Jonathan Woodgate, who are all recovering from injuries.

Despite holding the advantage over Milan, Redknapp does not view Tottenham as favourites to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals. "We had Young Boys of Bern first up [in the qualification round], and we were 3-0 down after 20 minutes and I thought: 'That's it for us.' But we came through that and have hung in there," he said.

"Milan will still be difficult. They've got forwards that can hurt you, they can still be dangerous. You've just got to keep going. But I'm looking forward to the game, it should be a great game."

Redknapp believes that the two Spanish clubs are the teams to beat if the competition is to be won. "It's all to play for, but you've got to say the two favourites would be Barcelona and Real Madrid," he added.