Gareth Bale might have to be content with place on Spurs bench for Fulham clash

Manager Mourinho says he has yet to decide whether in-form Wales attacker starts in Thursday's London derby

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Jose Mourinho has said that Gareth Bale might have to be content with a place on the bench for Tottenham's game at Fulham on Thursday.

The Wales international put in his best display of the season by scoring two goals and grabbing an assist in the 4-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.

But Mourinho continues to insist that Bales's time on the pitch must be managed carefully as he recovers from an injury-hit season and two years of inactivity at Real Madrid.

However, he will definitely be involved at Craven Cottage, either from the start or off the bench.

"I believe so. Start the game, being on the bench, I don't know. We have to decide," Mourinho said.

"|He's such an experienced guy so of course his opinion is very important. But good reaction, good recovering session and he will be involved. I repeat: bench or starting but he'll be there."

Bale's return to top form has been a long time coming as it looked like his loan return from Real Madrid was going to be a flop.

Asked why it had taken the 31-year-old so long to get to top form, Mourinho said: "Why for the past two years he had what he had in Madrid? Ask them. Maybe if they answer you, you can understand better why he took a while.

"Maybe to be patient was the main reason for him to reach the level he showed in the last couple of weeks."

On player that will not be making the shortish trip across London is Giovani Lo Celso. Mourinho says the Argentine midfielder is still "one to two weeks away from being ready" and will not be risked.

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Spurs 4 Burnley 0: player ratings

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While Spurs – currently eighth in the table six points behind fourth-place West Ham – are looking to push thmselves back towards a Champions League spot, opponents Fulham also have their eyes on moving up the table.

The Cottagers have lost just once in the past eight games, moving within striking distance of safety, just three points behind Newcastle and Brighton heading into the next round of fixtures.

Parker, though, will not allow any attention to wander to what might transpire elsewhere over their final 12 games.

"Never am I looking at a league table and that will be my stance through to the end of the season," Parker said.

"We got to this point we are now by concentrating on us and what we need to do. Our sole focus is us.

"The energy you lose from worrying about the what-ifs is really negative and it can sink you.

"I cant afford to watch a game the night before our game hoping for something to happen or it doesn't happen, then my performance levels drop as a coach of the team."