I'm a ducker not a diver, says Bale despite two yellow cards for simulation this season



Gareth Bale insists he is not a diver and only evades tackles to avoid potentially career-ending injuries.



The lightning Tottenham winger admitted he is frustrated by suggestions he goes to ground too easily and said he ‘gets out of the way’ only to protect himself and his livelihood.



Bale was accused of diving to win a penalty against Arsenal two weeks ago and won another spot kick in the 3-1 victory over Stevenage on Wednesday night, when he side-stepped Mark Roberts’ sliding challenge.



Taking a tumble: Bale was adjudged to have been fouled and won Spurs a penalty

The Welshman said: ‘If people want to say I’m diving they can, but at the end of the day I’m trying to get out of the way and save myself and my career. You’ve just got to try to be a bit clever about it. I’ve got a few people sent off this year by doing that.



‘When you have got people flying in at you all the time, it’s not really diving, you’re just trying to get out of the way of the challenges. If you stand there you’re going to get a whack. At the end of the day I would rather dive than get hurt.



‘I suppose you can take it as a compliment. They think it’s the only way they can stop you. But the best players just get on with it. If they get knocked down, they just get up again until it really hurts.’



Tottenham’s fifth-round FA Cup replay win was the first victory in four games for Harry Redknapp, who has still yet to be approached by the FA regarding the vacant England managerial position.



The pain game: The winger claims he is subject to very hefty challenges

Spurs fans chanted ‘We want him to stay’ on Wednesday and the club are set to offer the 65-year-old a new four-year deal and a £50million transfer kitty to persuade him to remain at White Hart Lane.



Tottenham travel to Everton on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats by Arsenal and Manchester United.



But Redknapp will be without winger Aaron Lennon, who picked up another hamstring injury on Wednesday, and Michael Dawson, who looks set to miss the rest of the season after rupturing a ligament in his right ankle.



Lennon said on his Twitter page: ‘Gutted hammys gone again did all the strength work as well but no luck this year.’



Injury crisis: Aaron Lennon and Michael Dawson were both forced off in the win over Stevenage and will miss most of the season







Dawson fell awkwardly after an aerial challenge and scans revealed he will be out for the rest of the season.



This latest setback is a major blow for Dawson, who has been plagued by injury in the past two years, but had hopes of making England’s squad for Euro 2012.



The 28-year-old suffered knee and ankle damage to his left leg when playing for his country against Bulgaria in September 2010 and was ruled him out for three months. He also missed four months after undergoing surgery on an achilles tendon.



We want you to stay: Harry Redknapp was once again backed by Spurs fans

Dawson’s absence leaves Redknapp short of numbers at the back. Sebastien Bassong is on loan at Wolves and Ryan Nelsen has made only four appearances this season.



Ledley King’s chronic knee problems mean he struggles to play two games in a week and, although William Gallas was an unused substitute in Wednesday’s win, the Frenchman has not played since January 3 after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain.



Midfielder Scott Parker said: ‘It’s a massive shame for Dawson. I’m gutted for him because he’s had a horrible time with injuries this season.’



