Source: Daily_Mail
Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo declared fit for Champions League clash
Gareth Bale is set for a mouth-watering showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo in Tottenham's Champions League clash with Real Madrid after both players were passed fit.[LNB]The duo were major injury concerns ahead of the quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening. [LNB] Showdown: Ronaldo (left) and Bale look set to play after coming through training unscathed on Monday [LNB]But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp confirmed Bale will play, while former Manchester United winger, Ronaldo, came through Madrid's Monday afternoon training session unscathed. [LNB]Bale has been struggling with a hamstring injury that he sustained on international duty with Wales nine days ago, but has travelled with the Tottenham squad to Madrid and is set to play. [LNB]Redknapp has revealed, however, that his squad have been hit by further injury problems after Niko Kranjcar suffered a foot injury against Wigan on Saturday. [LNB] Star of the show: Bale has courted interest from across Europe after a number of impressive Champions League displays [LNB]The Croatian joins Younes Kaboul, Steven Pienaar, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, and Alan Hutton on the sidelines but Redknapp reported good news on William Gallas, who looked all but certain to miss Tuesday's game when his knee injury flared up last week but could now play. [LNB]Redknapp said: 'Hopefully Gareth will be fit. He is going to train tonight. Let's hope he has no problems and if he is OK then he will play. [LNB]'William Gallas is going to train tonight. Hopefully he will be fit. Steven Pienaar didn't travel. He has a groin injury. [LNB] Looks fine to me: Cristiano Ronaldo is put through his paces ahead of the Champions League quarter-final[LNB] [LNB] 'Niko Kranjcar is struggling with a foot injury. He kicked the bottom of someone's boot on Saturday against Wigan. It is badly bruised and swollen. In fact at the moment we might have six subs on the bench instead of seven.'[LNB]Ronaldo had been a doubt for the match after suffering a hamstring injury against Atletico Madrid on March 19 that ruled him out of Portugal's two international friendlies and Saturday's Primera Division defeat to Sporting Gijon. [LNB]However, after the Sporting match, manager Jose Mourinho hinted that he might take a risk on Ronaldo to face Spurs and, after this afternoon's training session, included the world's most expensive player in a 19-man squad. [LNB] [LNB] Selection headache? Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho (centre) runs the rule over his team[LNB] [LNB]Also named in Mourinho's squad were Brazilian duo Marcelo and Kaka, as well as Argentina winger Angel Di Maria, who had all been fitness doubts along with Ronaldo. [LNB]Full-back Marcelo picked up a rib injury while on international duty, while Kaka has been absent since late February with a knee injury and Di Maria suffered a knock against Sporting. [LNB]Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain is also included again having made his return to action against Sporting after over four months out with a back problem that required surgery. [LNB] Mind games: Jose Mourinho had initially ruled Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game[LNB]However, in-form forward Karim Benzema misses out through injury, as confirmed by Mourinho earlier today. [LNB]Benzema, who has scored 12 goals in his last 12 games and 21 in all competitions this season, suffered a hamstring injury with France. [LNB]Midfield duo Fernando Gago and Pedro Leon are also missing through injury, while Raul Albiol and Sergio Canales have been omitted by Mourinho. [LNB] European giants on alert as Spurs star Bale admits he could be tempted by move abroadRedknapp believes Bale is key to unlocking Madrid at the BernabeuMadrid are the Real deal: Redknapp admits Spurs are 'massive underdogs' Jose's general Carvalho is well read on what to expect of TottenhamTower of trouble! Crouch promises cocky Carvalho a tough night in SpainRafa's guide: Last boss of an English side to beat Madrid gives his verdict[LNB] Explore more:People: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jonathan Woodgate, William Gallas, Harry Redknapp, Younes Kaboul, Alan Hutton, Gareth Bale, Ledley King, Jose Mourinho, Niko Kranjcar, Karim Benzema Places: Madrid, Portugal, Wales, Argentina, France
