Gareth Bale has branded Charlie Adam a "coward" after the Liverpool midfielder fouled the Welshman in a pre-season friendly.
Bale, who suffered a crude challenge from Adam in May 2011 that left him out for three months, left Tottenham's goalless draw with Liverpool in Baltimore on crutches after the Scot brought him down with a tackle from behind.
Asked what his reaction was, the Welshman said: "I think he's a bit of a coward.
"It's flattering if players try to take you out in a game but when it threatens your career it becomes more serious."
Bale, 23, has gained a reputation for over-exaggerating fouls since he came to prominence for Spurs in 2010, but has been defended by new manager André Villas-Boas.
The Portuguese admitted he "didn't know" about the history between Bale and Adam when he was playing for Blackpool but called Adam's foul "nasty".
Kyle Walker, Bale's team-mate, meanwhile asserted the Liverpool midfielder's actions was because he is "jealous".
Adam, 26, missed the last two months of the 2011/12 campaign and is attempting to regain his fitness after a poor first year with the Merseyside club.