Gareth Bale made another spur-of-the-moment debut last weekend in the 3-0 to 3-3 London derby with him on the field. Now, in the Europa League, the Welshman will play his first game as a starter in his second spell at Tottenham.
The second time was the charm. Bale's second call-up as a Tottenham player, his first start. Will be in the Europa League, against the Austrian LASK Linz.
His debut took place last weekend, and he was far from lucky. And not because of him, but because with him on the field Tottenham let slip a 3-0 that became a 3-3.
Now, Bale will come out from the start (against West Ham he come on in 72'), and will play the full 90 minutes, unless Mourinho decides otherwise. Proof that the prodigal son is really back.