Source: PA
Bale misses Italy trip
Gareth Bale has not travelled to Italy for the first leg of Tottenham's Champions League second round game with AC Milan on Tuesday night.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp ruled the Wales winger out of the match after Saturday's win at Sunderland, before appearing to backtrack by hinting he could play some part in the clash after making progress in his recovery from his back injury.
But any hope the 21-year-old would be able to repeat last year's hat-trick heroics against Inter in the San Siro were dashed on Monday when he was left at home to continue his recovery.
There was better news for Spurs in the recovery of their other key players, however. Luka Modric, who had an operation to remove his appendix a fortnight ago, has flown with the squad, despite Redknapp's declaration this weekend that the Croatian was a serious doubt for the game at the San Siro.
Peter Crouch and Rafael van der Vaart have been struggling with back and calf injuries respectively, but they have both made the journey.
Modric is arguably the most important player that Redknapp will want to see passed fit as he currently only has two central midfielders - Sandro and Wilson Palacios - with Jermaine Jenas suspended and Tom Huddlestone out with an ankle problem.
