Tottenham bid to speed Gareth Bale return using controversial blood spinning technique

Spurs desperate to have forward back for Premier League match against Manchester City

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale is stretchered off against Basel (GETTY IMAGES)

Desperate for their talismanic forward to return as soon as possible, it is understood Tottenham will turn to the controversial blood spinning technique to hurry Gareth Bale back to fitness.

The Wales international hurt his ankle in last week's Europa League fixture against Basel. While fears of serious injury were allayed following a scan, the 23-year-old has already missed the 2-2 draw with Everton and will miss the second leg against Basel in Switzerland this Thursday.

Tottenham are hoping Bale will return for the crucial clash against Manchester City on April 21, but to increase his chances of appearing in a match that could prove crucial in their push for a top four finish, club doctors will use blood spinning according to reports.

The technique involves a blood sample being taken before it is spun to increase the concentration of the growth hormone. The sample is then injected back into the athlete's problem area, in this case Bale's ankle. The practice, which Spurs used on Jermain Defoe earlier this season, can help an injury to heal five-times quicker.

It has courted controversy in the past with Chelsea warned by the World Anti-Doping Agency that their use of it on Arjen Robben in 2005 could be illegal. It has since become more commonly used.

Along with Bale, Tottenham will hope to have William Gallas and Aaron Lennon, both of whom were also injured in the match against Basel, back for the game against Manchester City.