Andre Villas-Boas blasts Charlie Adam

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has accused Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam of making a "very nasty challenge" on Gareth Bale.

Adam fouled Bale in the 18th minute of the sides' 0-0 draw in Baltimore and the Spurs winger was subsequently substituted at half-time.

Bale suffered ruptured knee ligaments after a bad tackle from Adam in 2011 when the Scot was playing for Blackpool and Villas-Boas is worried that his player may now be sidelined again.

"I think it is a very nasty challenge from Charlie," he said. "The player is gone and he comes in from behind on Gareth's ankle. I did not know the previous history between the two, but I do now.

"It is a difficult one to be fair. You do not want to end up in a game with Liverpool with ten men. Charlie came to me and said something about the challenge. I can accept that but I think he should go to the player to say sorry, because if the player escapes hospital it is because he is very lucky.

"The last time [Adam fouled Bale] he was out for three months, and in the end it's the Premier League that suffers without a player of Bale's talent. I can never doubt Charlie's integrity but it is a very, very nasty challenge. [Bale] is not okay. He is so-so. It is extremely painful and twisted, his ankle."

Spurs begin their Premier League campaign away at Newcastle United on August 18.