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Tottenham boss Pochettino says Winks is struggling to express himself

A smiling Mauricio Pochettino manager (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
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The Tottenham Hotspur youngster has not been able to fully shake off the injury he suffered at the end of last season.

A smiling Mauricio Pochettino manager

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told Football.London that Harry Winks is unable to express himself as he would want to out on the pitch.

Winks missed the final two months of last season with an ankle ligament problem and has found himself in and out of Tottenham’s team since his return at the start of the current campaign.

The 22-year-old has only appeared in FA Cup games this calendar year, however, and reports this week suggested he is a doubt for England’s World Cup campaign.

Harry Winks of Spurs in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2017 in London, England.

Despite his problems, though, Winks was named in his country’s Under-21 squad – alongside clubmates Josh Onomah and Kyle Walker-Peters – on Thursday.

Although, based on his Pochettino’s comments later that afternoon, it may not be the best thing for him.

“Of course it’s tough for him because he still doesn’t feel in the way he needs to feel,” said the Argentine. “We’re trying to help him to feel perfectly.

“It’s a little bit sad because he tries and we try to help. But I think we’re going to fix the problem.

“Of course he’s not in his best mood. But it’s sure that with the help of the whole coaching staff, we’re going to help him to achieve again the same level, how he felt before the problem.

“It’s not only (a lack of) confidence, it’s because he feels something in his ankle that he cannot express himself in the way that he can.”

Harry Winks of England is blocked by Linas Klimavicius of Lithuania (2) during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group F Qualifier between Lithuania and England at LFF Stadium on October 8, 2017 in...

The Tottenham academy product made his senior England debut against Lithuania last October, shortly before he impressed in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

Should Spurs pull Winks out of Under-21 duty?