Spurs duo highlight strength of partnership

The pair have played together regularly down Spurs' left flank since Cameroon leftback Assou-Ekotto returned from the African Cup of Nations in the early months of 2010, and have sinced forged a highly successful partnership.

"Since I've been playing left midfield we’ve had a good understanding," Bale told Tottenham's official website, adding: "We work well together and help each other both defending and going forward.

"It's been good playing with Benni and hopefully we can continue to do that. He is a good lad and he shows what he can do on the pitch, which is good for the team."

Assou-Ekotto, signed from Racing Club Lens in 2006, was also quick to salute the PFA Player of the Year Award-winning Welshman.

He said: "It's easy to play behind Gareth because he makes his right-back tired. He doesn’t need to help me a lot so he can concentrate on attack. Even without speaking too much on the pitch we have a good understanding and I know when he wants the ball into feet or into space."

Both Bale and Assou-Ekotto will be hoping to help to fire Tottenham back into the Champions League in 2011/12, with the North Londoners failing to clinch a top four spot in the season just finished.

Gary Parkinson is a freelance writer, editor, trainer, muso, singer, actor and coach. He spent 14 years at FourFourTwo as the Global Digital Editor and continues to regularly contribute to the magazine and website, including major features on Euro 96, Subbuteo, Robert Maxwell and the inside story of Liverpool's 1990 title win. He is also a Bolton Wanderers fan.