Harry Winks has revealed the daily pain he suffers from a chronic ankle problem that has stunted his development for Tottenham and England.
The midfielder, 22, missed a big chunk of 2018 due to injury that wrecked his World Cup dream after making his first team breakthrough last year.
Winks has explained he still suffers from his ankle even though he underwent surgery in May to cure the problem.
“I have missed a lot of football with my ankle and I’ve had a lot of problems with it. Still to this day I have got to manage it at times,” Winks said, as quoted by the Daily Telegraph.
“It is probably the most difficult experience I have had in my career so far. Every player gets injuries, I’m no different and players have to go through difficult situations and I’m another one but for me being young – and at the time I was performing well for club and had an opportunity with my country as well – so it was tough for me to deal with but that is football and mentally you have to be strong and put up a barrier and deal with it.
“I have come out of the other side and I feel a lot more mentally strong than before.”
OPINION
This is fascinating insight from Winks. Clearly, his confession that he still feels discomfort from the join despite surgery is a concern as he looks to establish himself as a key man for club and country. But there is also a big onus on the youngster to learn to play through the pain barrier. There is a good chance he could be bothered forever more by his ankle, and might never be able to play while feeling 100 per cent perfect. That is a fact of life for many footballers, some of whom regularly take painkilling injections just to make it onto the pitch. With surgery seemingly unable to provide a complete cure, Winks must get used to a bit of pain and plough on. There is intense competition at Spurs, as well as England, and the boat could sail for the 22-year-old if he is not available for selection for the majority of matches. Clearly, he will not realise his potential unless he is fit to play.