George Burley has insisted that Gareth Bale WILL play in this weekend's FA Cup tie at Manchester City - his first game against Premiership opposition.

When Bale was left out of the squad that beat Torquay United in the FA Cup third round earlier this month, it sparked fears that Saints were protecting his value by preventing him from becoming cup-tied before it transpired that the teenager was injured.

Since then, Bale has recovered from his hamstring strain in time to help keep clean sheets against Burnley and QPR.

And, encouragingly for Saints fans, manager Burley says the 17-year-old will play in Sunday's fourth-round tie at Eastlands.

He said: "Gareth was injured when we played Torquay but he played last week, is fit and if he's fit on Sunday he'll play.

"But I don't need to see him against Premiership opposition to know his qualities and the standard he can perform at".

The match will not be screened live on BBC or Sky Sports so Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is sure to make the short trip to Eastlands following his side's home tie against Portsmouth the previous night.

There Bale will be up against Micah Richards, another highly rated British teenage defender.

Burley is already looking forward to the contest.

He added: "Gareth and Micah are both players with tremendous assets but different styles.

"Micah can also play at centre half and as part of a back three but Gareth is an out-and-out attacking full back with the potential to be the best in the country".

An impressive performance on Sunday could persuade United to increase their initial £8m offer.

Bale's agent David Manasseh was unavailable for comment yesterday.