Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas plans to play Gareth Bale as a striker tonight against Europa League opponents Basle.

With Jermain Defoe injured and Emmanuel Adebayor out of form, Bale is set to again play at centre-forward in Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final first leg against the Swiss at White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas said of the Welshman: "With his run of form, as a striker he is most effective.

"He is extremely comfortable playing as a striker. The more he plays there the more he is likely to be helping the team."