More adversity for Tottenham’s young lion Harry Winks
In the midst of the international break, let’s share a thought for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks who again had to withdraw from national duty with a seemingly perennial ankle injury.
England showed promise in many areas of the field last Friday night in Amsterdam. But one still wonders how they would cope against the master manipulators of the game, such as those residing in the midfields of Spain and Germany.
Last summer the answer to such a conundrum seemed to emerge from Tottenham’s academy after Winks was a surprise call-up for England’s final games of the qualifying campaign. In his debut against Lithuania Winks put in a Man of the Match performance, and was described by the BBC as:
"“England’s best performer. Neat and tidy and almost scored. Eye-catching among so much mediocrity.”"
Gareth Southgate must have been giddy watching some of Winks’ ensuing feats for Spurs. Harry put in a stellar performance in a daunting tie at the Bernabeu, while he marshalled Spurs to a vital three points in the return fixture, as well as in Dortmund.
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Winks, who was eligible to play for Spain himself, looked to have the continental swagger England craved in the centre of the park and was, as expected, called up for their following games against Germany and Brazil.
But, alas, the ankle injury that prematurely ended Wink’s last campaign returned to haunt the young lion. Winks found himself in the familiar surroundings of the treatment room at the end of December and has failed to find his rhythm ever since. Speaking to Standard Sport Winks commented:
"“It’s tough. I had one ankle injury, then I came back, and I got another one. I was playing with it and I got to the point where I had to pull out. It wasn’t easy.”"
Winks’ opportunities for Spurs have since been limited to a couple of underwhelming displays in the FA Cup. This week he was due to return to the international scene and represent Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21s side but again had to pull out with, you guessed it, an ankle injury.
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Although young Harry should still enjoy a bright future with both club and country, he looks set to endure a frustrating summer watching the World Cup from his settee, with his troublesome ankle resting on the coffee table.