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Bale eyes cup boost for Spurs

Gareth Bale is hoping for a change in fortune at Tottenham © Getty Images

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Gareth Bale says Tottenham can put their stuttering Premier League form behind them with a victory over Bolton in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final.

Spurs have lost three games in a row in the league as they have seen a 13-point lead over north London rivals Arsenal reduced to just one.

But Bale believes a place in the last four of the FA Cup can banish the disappointment of a stuttering March.

"It's a massive game for us,'' Bale told The FA's website. "We know our league form hasn't been great of late, but the FA Cup is a different competition and, being at home, we've got a great chance to get to the semi-finals.

"We know it's not going to be an easy game. It's going to be hard work - it's a cup tie. We'll just go out there, give it 100%, play our best football and hopefully we can be in the semi-final.''

Spurs have enjoyed the luck of the draw this season, having faced Cheltenham, Watford and Stevenage, with Bolton their first Premier League opponents.

Bale said: "The teams we've come up against have made it difficult for us. We've got through on merit at the end of the day, and to play Bolton will be a difficult test, and one we're ready for.

"Any silverware is important and the FA Cup is a massive trophy in England and something we want to do well in.''

Manager Harry Redknapp must decide whether to continue to rest players in cup competition, with Wednesday's league game with Stoke and next Saturday's crunch trip to Chelsea fast approaching.

Young midfielder Jake Livermore will be hoping that is the case, having started three of Tottenham's four FA Cup matches this season. The 22-year-old is already dreaming of Wembley, where he famously scored against Barcelona in the 2009 Wembley Cup.

"That goal feels like many moons ago!'' he told Spurs' official website. "It would be great to go back to Wembley, the heart of English football. Every player in the changing room wants to go there.

"There are no easy games and Bolton will be difficult. The FA Cup, you can never predict what will happen, but we'll be ready. It's another tough game for us.

"The FA Cup is a big part of our season and to get a result against Bolton, to get the chance to play at Wembley, is a dream. We all want to play at Wembley and we all want to win the FA Cup.''

Livermore added of Tottenham's recent form: "The lads are disappointed with the results but we can take pride from the performances. We've worked our socks off and sometimes you get the breaks, sometimes you don't. Hopefully, we'll finish where we deserve to finish at the end of the season.''

Meanwhile, Tottenham have confirmed one of their youngsters has been in intensive care for the past three days after suffering a serious head injury. Academy prospect Oliver Modeste, 17, was taken to hospital following an accidental fall on Sunday evening and is being closely monitored by specialists.

Spurs said in a statement: "Oliver's family has asked the club to convey their thanks for the many messages of support they have received. They have also asked that their privacy be respected at this time. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Oliver's family.''

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