Harry Winks is determined to repay Mauricio Pochettino for the faith the Tottenham manager has shown in him.
Winks broke into the Spurs first team last season, but his progress was stunted by medial ankle ligament damage suffered in April's Premier League win over Burnley.
The 21-year-old made his first start since the injury in September's League Cup win over Barnsley and has since established himself as a key member of Mauricio Pochettino's midfield.
Winks then received his first senior England call-up in October and retained his place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the fortcoming friendlies against Brazil and Germany.
The Tottenham star capped his recent rise with a stellar performance in their 3-1 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday and Winks is in no doubt as to who is responsible for his performances.
"I can't thank [Pochettino] enough," Winks told the BBC.
"It's very well documented how difficult it is for young British players to get opportunities in the Premier League, and for me coming through the academy, all I've wanted to do is play for Tottenham and get the opportunity.
"I think the way he's training with his intensity and the way he wants us to play, we have to repay him back and work hard like every player does.
In Pictures | Tottenham vs Real Madrid | 01/11/2017
"Everytime he gives us an opportunity, we know how important it is, and he makes sure we know that - that playing for Tottenham is a massive thing, for the fans, for everybody.
"When you get the opportunity to play, it's important that you take that."
Boyhood Tottenham fan Winks scored on his full Premier League debut for the club in last season's 3-2 victory over West Ham at White Hart Lane.
After bundling the ball home to make it 1-1, Winks race towards the touchline and embraced his manager.
He explained: "We had a chat a few months before that when Josh Onomah scored his first goal for Spurs and the manager did say 'when you scored, why did you not celebrate with me?' and it stuck in my mind.
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"So when I scored my first goal, I made sure I celebrated with the gaffer so that was the meaning behind doing that. Just to thank him for everything he's done and giving me that opportunity."