Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has taken aim at Gareth Bale over an Instagram post which appeared to indicate the winger was fit and available by insisting it was "totally wrong" and "contradicted reality."

Bale has started just two Premier League games since re-signing on loan from Real Madrid in September amid lingering fitness issues.

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Mourinho has used the 31-year-old sparingly when he has been available and Bale seemed to suggest he was ready to take part in Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Everton, by posting on Monday that he had enjoyed a "good session today" underneath a picture of him training.

However, speaking at a news conference on Friday ahead of Spurs' weekend trip to Manchester City, Mourinho said: "I hope the press conference is about the game and not about individuals but I have to admit his post created a need of being addressed because there was a contradiction between the post and reality.

"Since the beginning of the season, in relation to everything I try to be very private and keep everything indoors. But I felt that I need to address the situation, you know. Probably the post was not even his responsibility, I don't know.

"But the post was showing that training session was great so I'm ready but it was totally wrong. So when I was questioned I had to say the reality of the things which I repeat for the last time and I hope there are no more questions about it because the situation was exactly the way I told.

"He was not feeling good, he asked for a scan, the scan didn't show an injury but his feelings were still there and sports science people, medical, coaches can never go against feelings because the players feelings are more important than all of us.

"So he was not ready for the game and it was as simple as that. If he's ready for tomorrow's he's selected for tomorrow."