Harry Winks admits it has been difficult to watch on as England reached the semi-finals of successive finals.
The Tottenham midfielder dropped out to the previous four of those 2018 World Cup on the run before starring last season and getting fit.
Fitness issues followed closely – despite beginning Tottenham’s Champions League defeat – England manager Gareth Southgate chose to not include the 23-year-old within his Nations League finals group in June.
But after starting the season back Winks was invited into the England squad for the upcoming European Qualifiers against Kosovo and Bulgaria.
“Yes, I spoke to the gaffer the week before the [Champions League] closing,” he answered when asked whether he knew why he was left out of this Nations League squad.
“He phoned me and gave me his perspectives. I completely admire the gaffer’s conclusion, I was outside for a few weeks after a surgery and he needed to name the squad ahead of the Champions League [final].
“So I completely understand that his thinking. With Tottenham – to get fit, my thinking was at the instant in time, to get in that Champions League team.
“Then clearly later it would have been an honour to go out with England, but for various reasons I completely know why the gaffer did so. I respect his decision.
“It is always tough to see any football you are part of if you’re not involved – particularly the World Cup.
“First and foremost I was an England fan, I needed us to do so nicely, but it is everyone’s dream to play to their countries, therefore to have missed that has been tough.
“And to miss from the Nations League was difficult. But that is football. People today make choices and it’s a part and parcel of proceeding on.
“We’ve obtained the Euros to look forward to, so I can stay fit and perform a role in that.”
Read more: http://www.fortoli.cn/?p=21611