Winks warned by manager

Mauricio Pochettino has warned Harry Winks that if he is to become a regular starter for England and Tottenham Hotspur he needs to dedicate himself to football and “not the business around football”.

The Spurs manager also said that 22-year-old midfielder, who has one cap, would have to learn to play “with pain”. Winks is in contention to start today against Liverpool, having made three substitute appearances this season following a long injury lay-off that claimed the final three months of last term.

Pochettino said he was cautious about praising Winks too much in case his “head [grows big]”.

“The perception will be ‘Wow’ and the reality is ‘You still need to

prove [yourself ]’. When we talk about midfielders like Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta, he’s like this type of player, but, please, he needs to take my words in a very positive way. He needs a lot of work.

“He has the possibility and the potential of course but now it is up to him and we go again: mentality. In his mind, he [has to be] capable to learn about suffering; that there never is enough training, always try to be better. Football is his focus, not business that is around football. Maybe [if he learns this] he will arrive to play in a very good level and be one of the best midfielders in England. It is not my advice, it is how I describe the reality. If he wants to take it, take it.”

Online: The making of Lucas Moura. Telegraph.co.uk/sport .