Harry Winks has claimed that he never spoke to Mauricio Pochettino about the reason why he was left out of Spurs' squad for the Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade.
The manager has tended to shuffle his squad about for European games in the past and this time the England international, despite playing regularly in the Premier League, was left in the capital along with Serge Aurier and injured duo Jan Vertonghen and Erik Lamela.
Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele started in Winks' absence in Serbia and played a big part in the team recording a stunning 4-0 win.
The duo then started again in the team's next game against Sheffield United, with the 23-year-old replacing Ndombele at half-time as the summer signing was unable to continue.
Impressing on England duty in midweek as the Three Lions clinched a place at Euro 2020 with a 7-0 win over Montenegro, the midfielder opened up to the media about his omission from the squad for the Champions League clash.
“No, I mean, I never spoke to the manager about why I was left out, but I assumed it was a tactical decision and, you know, it was the manager’s decision and of course I respect that,” he said, as reported by The Independent.
“And I worked hard in training during the week to try and get back to them.
“Going into the Premier League, going back after the international break, it’s going to be important to try and get as many games as possible and start as much as I can.
“And let’s hope that happens here with England, performing well and then going back and training well and keeping the levels high, because that’s the most important thing when you’re trying to play for Tottenham and England.”
