Winks set for extra-curricular work in bid to come back stronger 20 June 2017 - News - tottenhamhotspur.com
WINKS SET FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR WORK IN BID TO COME BACK STRONGER
Posted on 20 June 2017 - 14:58
Harry Winks has opened up on the season-ending ankle injury he suffered back in April, revealing that he’s using the off-season period to aid his quest to return to fitness for the new campaign.
The home-grown midfielder enjoyed a terrific breakthrough year in 2016-17, scoring on his first Premier League start in a five-goal thriller against West Ham, making his Champions League bow and playing 33 times before everything came to the cruellest of halts on April Fool’s Day.
With half-time approaching during our trip to Burnley, the 21-year-old went spinning off the pitch and damaged ankle ligaments. He wouldn’t play again before the end of the season.
Looking back on that afternoon at Turf Moor, Harry admitted: “As soon as I got the injury I knew it was quite serious. It was just my gut instinct and the pain I was in, it was something I’d never experienced before.
“I was there in the hospital, it was tough but it’s one of those things – I try not to think about that moment because it was a horrible day. Obviously the last few weeks of the season I had to miss and we had some big games as well – the FA Cup semi-final, the last game at the Lane, but when I look back on the season as a whole, I’m proud of myself, of what I achieved, in the sense that I played a lot of games and to achieve playing in the Champions League, FA Cup and to score in the Premier League, it was a great season for me.
“I’m really happy with that but most importantly, you can’t rest on that and I know that – I know I’ve got to keep working hard, keep improving. What’s happened has happened and the most important thing now is to kick on next season, forget about this season and look forward to improving and hopefully taking that step further.”
So how is Harry’s summer panning out as he works towards a return to action?
“I’m obviously still rehabbing and I’ll be in a good 10 days or so before everyone, just getting myself fit, testing my ankle and making sure it’s okay to go back into full training,” he explained.
“I’ve almost got a pre-season before a pre-season just to get myself fit so hopefully I can come back in the best shape I can possibly be in.”
...OK, defence, midfield and striker! They will not only compliment, but add to the young talent we have already.
