Bale’s return on loan from Real Madrid was greeted with much excitement at Spurs but his impact has been minimal. The 31-year-old has spent most of his time on the bench, starting only one Premier League game and featuring mainly in the Europa League.

“I cannot give players minutes – minutes on the pitch is not something I can give,” Mourinho told reporters ahead of Monday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Wycombe Wanderers.

“We all know the difficulties that he had for a couple of seasons… The most important thing is to be consistent in training… when a player is consistent in training then he is ready, not to be given minutes but to earn minutes.

“He is working every minute like everybody else at a good intensity and let’s see the way that he reacts… It is also about his confidence. If he feels that the week has had a positive impact on him and, on his confidence, he will play.”

Mourinho will take a full squad for the trip to Wycombe but is expected to make a number of changes with one eye on Thursday’s Premier League game with champions Liverpool.