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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has told Luka Modric to concentrate on playing for Real Madrid rather than speculating about Gareth Bale's future.

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"I think he should focus more on his club than ours," said Villas-Boas.

"Obviously Modric is aware of Gareth's performances because of his love for Tottenham, but it is completely impossible [for Bale to leave]."

The Wales international has been in sensational form this season, scoring and has been pivotal to the success of a Spurs side that sits one place outside the Champions League qualifying spots.

His talents were on show again in Wednesday night's 2-1 win against Liverpool as he set up fellow wide-man Aaron Lennon for the opener following a pacy burst down the left, before deceiving goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a swerving free-kick to get on the scoresheet himself.

Bale signed a new four-year contract in June, but following Spurs's failure to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Modric said Bale should join Real to fulfil his Champions League aspirations but Villas-Boas insisted: "The club has to protect our assets.

"We have to qualify for the Champions League, as Luka says, and for that to happen, we need the players that can make a difference.

"In the end we are not looking to sell. We are first looking to our objectives towards this season and that is the most important thing."

Villas-Boas also highlighted the effect that increased competition for places at other clubs can have on playing opportunities.

Modric, who was guaranteed a starting spot while with Spurs, has seen himself rotated with Germany international Mesut Ozil in the playmaker role at the Bernabeu since joining for approximately £30m in August.

He said: "Regarding Luka, he has high expectations and I think Real Madrid have high expectations for him too. I think with the player that he is, he will turn it around and will manage to get into the team a little bit more."