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Gareth Bale to return to Spurs 'within 2 weeks' after injury

Gareth Bale had to be stretchered off during Thursday's Europa League game against Basel.

Gareth Bale had to be stretchered off during Thursday's Europa League game against Basel.

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale should be back in training "within two weeks'' after spraining ligaments in his right ankle while playing against FC Basel in the Europa League quarterfinals.

The prognosis following a scan on Friday will be a huge relief to Spurs, whose bid to qualify for next season's Champions League has been spearheaded by the Wales winger.

Bale, who has scored 17 goals in the Premier League, may be sidelined for only two games - against Everton in the league on Sunday and the return leg against Basel on Thursday. The quarterfinal is delicately poised at 2-2 after Thursday's first leg at White Hart Lane.

Spurs said in a statement that Bale was "responding positively'' to treatment following the scan.

The Wales winger appeared in agony after rolling his ankle under a challenge in the final minutes of the game, and was carried off on a stretcher.

Fellow winger Aaron Lennon and center back William Gallas also went off injured against Basel and were given a similar timescale of recovery as Bale.

Tottenham is third in the Premier League with seven games remaining.