Winks: It's the stuff of dreams

Cape Town - Harry Winks has described being called up to the senior national England side as a 'little bit surreal'.

The talented 21-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was called into the squad to face Slovenia and Lithuania after Fabian Delph was forced to withdraw with an injury.

He has just two under 21 caps to his name, but is highly rated by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as well as former Young Lions boss, now England head coach Gareth Southgate.

An injury ruled Winks out of the European Under-21 Championships but he has already made seven appearances for his club this term.

Speaking to the FA's official website, Winks explained it was a surprise to be called up - especially as he was already in camp with the under 21 side.

He said: "I'm still trying to get my head around it, to be honest.

“It's still a little bit surreal to have come here as an U21 and then get the call into the manager's room to say I've been promoted into the senior squad.

“I'm guessing it all happened really quickly with the two boys that pulled out through injury [Fabian Delph and Phil Jones], so the fact that all of the boys are here – the U21s and the seniors – makes it so easy to dip in and out if you're needed.

“(A call-up) didn't cross my mind at all. I've only recently come back from injury and got into the team, so it's all happened very quickly but it's the stuff of dreams, really.

“It's an absolute dream come true to even be here, at any level. To represent your country is massive, and to even be a part of the group at senior level - whether it's just for this trip or for however long.

“Hopefully there'll be many more, but this is a great achievement and I'm really proud.

“I'm just here to enjoy every bit of the experience and soak it up as much as I can. If I get to play it'd obviously be a dream come true, but just being here is fantastic."