Dawson - Bale's no faker

Gareth Bale: Returned to scoring form against New York Red Bulls

Michael Dawson has defended team-mate Gareth Bale against accusations he overplayed the seriousness of the injury incurred through Charlie Adam's tackle on him.

A recent pre-season friendly between Tottenham and Liverpool on their US tour left a bad taste in the mouth after a rash challenge by Adam left Bale crumpled in a heap.

The Spurs man labelled his Liverpool counterpart a 'coward' after he left Baltimore in a protective boot, before making a rapid recovery to score and star in his team's defeat of New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.

Adam's agent has been quick to come out to nonsense Bale's accusations against his client, with the Scot having also been criticised by Andre Villas-Boas.

Dawson, though, is adamant that Bale has every right to feel aggrieved having been left heavily bruised by Adam's challenge.

"There is no way Gareth was faking it," said Dawson.

"If you saw his ankle you would see it was badly bruised."

Bale's presence in America has been criticised from some quarters given his unavailability for Team GB at London 2012.