Inter Milan manager Andrea Stramaccioni has admitted that he is worried about trying to stop Gareth Bale when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Italians are currently in the middle of a defensive injury crisis with Matias Silvestre and Yuto Nagatomo ruled out, while Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel may also be missing.

The Nerazzurri boss also conceded that his side's main priority is to finish third in Serie A.

"My team should be aware of Bale's strengths, but obviously the problem now is I don't have too many players available," Stramaccioni told ESPN. "This is a very important game for us, but unfortunately we have lots of injuries.

"We gave a few of them tests this morning, but most of them are still struggling and we don't want to risk anyone.

"The Europa League is important, but we don't want anyone to get longer-term injuries. Our main target is third place in our league. That's why we brought six young players here. It's going to be difficult."

Spurs host Inter at White Hart Lane on Thursday night.