Gareth Bale has played just 45 minutes in the Premier League since November 8 and has been overlooked, even as Tottenham Hotspur's bright start to the season has faltered in recent weeks.
Wales caretaker manager Robert Page insists Gareth Bale's fitness won't be put at risk after Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho expressed concern over the forward's international workload.
The 2-1 win over Brighton, lifted Tottenham up to second in the Premier League table.
Tottenham failed to create a single chance of note in a lifeless display, with Gareth Bale lasting less than an hour before being substituted.
Despite Gareth Bale starting for the first time, it was on-loan Carlos Vinicius who made an impressive debut as Tottenham enjoyed a 3-0 win in their Group J opener.
Gareth Bale came on as a 72nd minute substitute with Tottenham leading 3-0, but suffered a debut to forget as the North London club capitulated in astonishing fashion.
Gareth Bale has returned to north London on a season-long loan from Real Madrid after seven years of highs and lows since joining the Spanish giants for a then world-record fee.
Jose Mourinho said on Friday that Gareth Bale will "probably" play against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, in what would be his first Spurs appearance after rejoining the club on loan from Real Madrid
Mourinho did not put a timescale on when the Wales forward will feature, but he hinted Gareth Bale's desire to pull the Tottenham shirt on for the first time since 2013 will hasten his recovery.
Tottenham defeated Southampton in the Premier League, with Song Heung-min putting in a talismanic performance.
Gareth Bale had fallen out of favour for at Real Madrid and has joined Tottenham on loan.
Gareth Bale is set to for a return to Tottenham Hotspur after his stint at Real Madrid ended largely in disappointment, despite being laden with trophies.
Gareth Bale's move back to Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid will be completed this week, the player's agent Jonathan Barnett said on Thursday.
Gareth Bale's agents are talking to Tottenham about a deal that would see the Real Madrid forward return to his former club.
Gareth Bale is currently not in Zinedine Zidane's plans for Real Madrid, after having hardly featured for the La Liga club in recent months.
Zinedine Zidane has said Gareth Bale told him he did not want to play for Real Madrid against Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 on Friday.
Zinedine Zidane named 24 players on Wednesday for the trip to Manchester.
After scoring Real Madrid's third goal in the 37th minute, Marcelo dropped onto his left knee and raised his clinched right fist into the air.
