MTNFootball

The Tottenham winger is at the centre of a fresh injury scare and will undergo a scan in New York to determine the extent of the damage he suffered to his left ankle, which is currently in a protective boot. It is feared he could miss the start of the new Barclays Premier League season.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas was enraged by what he perceived to be recklessness on Adam’s behalf and Bale was infuriated that the 19th minute challenge during a 0-0 draw in Baltimore was committed by the Scotland international.

He and Adam have been involved controversy before – Bale, 23, was sidelined for three months in May 2011 with ankle ligament damage following a tackle by the then Blackpool midfielder – and the Wales international claimed he was maliciously targeted by Adam.

‘I was surprised to see a challenge like that in a friendly,’ said Bale. ‘We are over here to build up our fitness and get a good workout. But what he did was over the top. Some people are like that and it’s just wrong.

‘There are pictures on the internet of what he did before when he snapped all my ankle ligaments. I was out for three months that time and one player told me he went out to do the same thing to me again. From what I’ve seen of him on pitch, I think he’s a bit of a coward.

‘I haven’t had an apology from him or anything like that,’ said Bale. ‘But I don’t really want one from him, to be honest. That’s what kind of person he is like. He’s done it before. I’m not going to accept his apology.’

Andre Villas-Boas was so angered by Adam’s actions that he demanded an apology. He also followed him down the tunnel at half-time – when Bale was forced to be substituted to confront him.