Tottenham boss Redknapp: Bale would be going to World Cup if English

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has no doubts Gareth Bale would be going to the World Cup with England - if not for his Welsh passport.

With first-choice left back Ashley Cole injured and Steven Gerrard not a natural on the left wing, Bale's ability to do an effective job in either position would be of great benefit to England coach Fabio Capello.

Redknapp said: "If he was English, he'd be in the England team, for sure, because he could solve two problems. He's on a march now. He's a lot tougher and he had that stigma of God knows how many games without being on the winning side at Tottenham."

Setting that record of 24 matches without a victory could not have done much for the confidence and neither did nasty ankle, foot and knee injuries.

"He's only a boy still and you expect so much from them," said Redknapp. "There was a spell when he used to get a little knock and he'd lie on the floor in training every day.

"Now he's different. He looks hard, he looks stronger, he's bigger, he's filled out, he's lightning quick, he's 6ft 2in and he heads it. He takes people on and he's a great crosser of the ball. It's all there."