Gareth Bale's Tottenham Hotspur Return Could be Imminent

Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale could return for the Europa League play-off second leg against Dinamo Tbilisi next week should the Welshman come through a fitness test on Monday.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas has already ruled Bale out of the first-leg in Georgia on Thursday and the Premier League visit of Swansea City, having missed the opening weekend Premier League win at Crystal Palace, after failing to feature for much of Spurs' pre-season schedule.

Bale was originally diagnosed with separate buttock and foot problems this summer but after sitting out Wales' friendly international against Republic of Ireland boss Chris Coleman stated the 24 year old was mentally unprepared.

While rumours have cooled regarding Real Madrid's interest in signing Bale, who won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards last season after netting 26 goals for Spurs, his spell out of the first team will do little to dampen rumours regarding his future.

But Villas-Boas is optimistic Bale could become involved in the home leg of their Europa League play-off in 10 days' time.

"He is eligible for selection because he is included in the UEFA team, on the list we put through," Villas-Boas said. "But he's not available because of injury.

"He is going to have a clearing session today (Monday), so hopefully we will get good positive signs."

Tottenham got their season off to the best possible start after defeating newly promoted Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park by virtue of Roberto Soldado's debut goal from the penalty spot in the second half.

Soldado is one of four new signings made by Villas-Boas in the transfer window, all of which featured in the opening win over The Eagles. The Portuguese boss has reaffirmed his desire to add further names before the end of the transfer window but is refusing to confirm whether Anzhi Makhachkala winger Willian is among is targets.

"We haven't finished," Villas-Boas added.

"I think we have a very good squad and we have obviously already had some activity in the market, but we are a looking further. There is a possibility."

"(Willian) this is a player who I have spoken about in the past, not very long ago. He is a player who I appreciate but a player that belongs to Anzhi and I will respect them."