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Tottenham vs Barcelona: Big doubt revealed over one Spurs star for Champions League clash
TOTTENHAM star Harry Winks has struggled to get back to his best since his injury problems.
That is the verdict of BT Sport pundit and former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
Winks was handed a start in tonight’s huge Champions League clash at home to Barcelona Wembley.
The 22-year-old became a regular in the Spurs side in the early stages of last season.
He starred in the memorable 3-1 home win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Can he get back to that? The early signs I’ve seen this season are that he is struggling a little bit
But he missed the last three months of the campaign with an ankle injury which ultimately ended his hopes of going to the World Cup with England.
Jenas says Winks needs time to get back to his best and is worried for him and midfield partner Victor Wanyama against Barcelona tonight.
“The injury came at the worse time possible,” Jenas said of Winks.
“He was at full-flow at this point during his early Spurs career.
“I think you can see the confidence that he does have and the ability he is able to tap into.
“He was brilliant in this game against Real Madrid.
“But I suppose the question marks are consistency after that fitness issue and the injury he got through.
“Can he get back to that? The early signs I’ve seen this season are that he is struggling a little bit.
“But I think a lot of that comes from match fitness, confidence.
“And today, that midfield area does worry me for Tottenham.
“I have to say with Wanyama and Winks in there, what is screaming out is that they’ve not played many 90 minutes and they’re not going to see much of the ball at times.
“So it’s how they respond and react as a team to protect that I think.”
Spurs were without a number of key men for the Barcelona clash due to injury.
Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Serge Aurier were all absent.