Gareth Bale on Where He Will Play at Tottenham & Returning to Club He Loves

Gareth Bale says he is delighted to be back at Tottenham, a club he 'loves with all his heart', and is prepared to play wherever José Mourinho needs him to as he looks to make an impression in his second spell in north London.

Bale signed on a season-long loan from Real Madrid but is yet to make his bow at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he recovers from a niggling injury.

"I am happy to be back and love this club with all my heart," he said in an interview with Sky Sports. "I've had great memories here and l feel very happy and confident. My energy levels have gone up."

His exit from Real was long awaited - especially for Bale, who was no longer enjoying his football after his proposed move to China fell through a year ago.

"It was time for a change. I wanted to change for a little while but it hadn't materialised. This club means so much to me, it gave me my opportunities, and I felt it was a good time to come back. I feel the club is still going in a great direction and I wanted to be part of that.

"I just want to enjoy my football. In Madrid it was a bit flat for a while, which l think everyone could see. When you are not happy, it's difficult to play at your highest level."

Bale isn't the orthodox central striker Mourinho has asked for, but does give the Portuguese boss another exciting attacking option. That versatility will come in useful as Spurs negotiate an impossibly tight fixture schedule.

When asked where he will play, he said: "Anywhere across the front. I'm comfortable on the right where l have played most of my career, behind the striker where l have played a lot, and I've played on the left a lot."