Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has identified winger Gareth Bale as a key player for Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Argentine believes that the Wales international could prove to be dangerous against them in their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.

"Bale is the one of the best wingers around - not just in the Premier League, but in the world," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "He has great pace and he has a great cross and shot.

"It's won't be just about Gareth Bale. As a defender I know that Tottenham have very good strikers and a very good team.

"I think they play better away from home because they move really quickly on the counter-attack, so it is going to be really hard for us."

City are currently third in the league table with 22 points from 10 matches, five points behind leaders Manchester United.