Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Winks hopeful of becoming latest academy success after signing new deal

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Harry Winks is aiming to secure a permanent place in the club's first-team squad after earning a second contract in the space of eight months which will keep him in north London until 2019. The 20-year-old has made three appearances in all competitions for Spurs across the last two seasons, the latest coming in the Europa League win over Fiorentina and the England youth international is now looking to press on.

The Spurs academy has produce a spate of exciting youth players in recent years, with Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Josh Onomah among the notable graduates – with manager Mauricio Pochettino not afraid to give them first team experience early in their careers. Winks was handed his debut against Partizan Belgrade in November 2014 and remains part of Pochettino's plans.

Winks is still waiting for his Premier League debut but has been an unused substitute four times this season. With Pochettino partial to blooding his young players a top flight bow is surely only around the corner and the midfielder is keen to continue his progression and follow in the footsteps of the batch of successful Tottenham youngsters.

"I've definitely progressed and I feel I've come a long way since the start of the season," he told the official Tottenham website. "I've learned a lot from the manager, from the players and everyone around the club. I'm really enjoying my time, loving it. I just want to take that next step now and that's to play a few more minutes and generally kick on."

"The manager trusts young players and on a personal level, I'm grateful for the chance he's given me. From my point of view, I now have to repay that faith by playing well and when I get the opportunity, to make sure I take it. I'm happy with what I've achieved so far, obviously I need to put that work into practice in games now and prove it on the pitch."

In addition to occasion first team exposure, Winks has had the unique experience of training in a team aiming to win the league title for the first time since 1961. Tottenham trail leaders Leicester City by five points but remain very much in the hunt and Winks is loving the experience.

"As a young player, it's everything you want," he added. "You want to be around top players and a top club and a team that's pushing for the top honours. It's a fantastic club to be involved with especially at such a young age."

"I train every day with the players, I do exactly the same programme as them and I'm on the same schedule. Naturally, I'd love more minutes but I do believe the training and the hard work I'm putting in means I'm playing my part every day."