Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that Harry Winks has struggled to "express himself" in recent months.

Winks was one of Spurs' star performers during the opening months of the campaign, but an ankle injury has led to the young Englishman failing to feature on a regular basis since Christmas.

The 22-year-old has made just three appearances during 2018, and Pochettino has revealed that the midfielder is trying to cope with issues regarding both his confidence and ankle.

At a press conference, the 46-year-old told reporters: "It's tough for him because he still doesn't feel in the way he needs to feel. 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."

The Argentine added: "It's not only confidence, it's because he feels something in his ankle that he cannot express himself in the way that he can."

Winks has been left out of Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, with the Three Lions due to face the Netherlands and Italy before the end of the month.