Andre Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas could lose midfielder Gareth Bale to injury after a dangerous tackle from Charlie Adam

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has condemned Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam for a dangerous challenge on Gareth Bale in their 0-0 pre-season friendly draw in the United States yesterday.

Adam has a history of injuring Bale, having put the Spurs flyer out of action for three months with ankle ligament damage after a challenge in May 2011, and Villas-Boas is worried that Bale could have suffered another serious injury.

“I think it was a very nasty challenge from Charlie,” said Villas-Boas.

“The player had gone and he came in from behind on Gareth’s ankle. I did not know the previous history between the two. I do now.

“It is a difficult one to be fair. You do not want to end up in a game with Liverpool with 10 men.

“At half-time Charlie came to me and said something about the challenge. I can accept that but I think he should go to the player to say sorry.”

Villas-Boas will now wait on the extent of Bale’s injury, but hints he doesn’t expect good news.

“If the player escapes hospital it is because he is very lucky,” he said.

“The last time he was out for three months and in the end it is the Premier League that suffers without a player of Bale’s talent.”