The silence has finally been broken surrounding the fitness opf flying full-back Gareth Bale this week.

The Welsh international has been out of action since picking up a foot injury in our home match against Birmingham City last December.

And the 18-year-old has become White Hart Lane’s forgotten man during his lengthy absence form the first team. But, it seems he is back on the war path, after speaking to the club’s official website just a few days ago.

His interview came as a timely reminder to the Spurs faithful, in the heat of this summer’s transfer speculation. With Bale understood to be near to resuming tarining, it occured to me his long-awaited return to the fold would be like a new signing in itself.

The left-footer only made ten appearances in his maiden season at the Lane, after completing his £10 million switch from Championship club Southampton - but it is difficult to deny the positive impact he had on the side.

He made his Premiership debut at Old Trafford, opened the scoring in our league encounter with arch rivals Arsenal, put in a man-of-the-match display Fulham where he also scored and netted against Middlesbrough in our silverware-ending Carling Cup run.

He proved he can play both comfortably at full-back or on the wing, added much needed balance to the team and adapted to life in the Premiership with pure ease.

And looking back, it is quite remarkable how much young Bale achieved in such a short stint in Spurs colours. I’d go as far as saying he began his Tottenham career as brightly as anyone has over the last decade. It is quite some claim after only seeing him in action for some eight club starts, but I think many fans would go along with me in saying he was like a breath of fresh air to the club.

His bright creative spark was sorely missed after his sudden injury led to his lengthy lay-off. He will feel his Premier League breakthrough was cruelly cut short. But it will only make him more determined to put things right upon his return.

So, just for those of you who had forgotten about Bale - it seems your reminder is just around the corner.

Here’s to his very bright future at N17…