Oliver Skipp has revealed that the pelvic problem currently keeping him out of action has been plaguing him for nearly the entire campaign.
Tottenham announced on Wednesday that Skipp had signed a new five-year deal, which is certainly a just reward for what has been a breakthrough season for the Spurs academy graduate on his return from his loan spell at Norwich.
The midfielder, who has come through the ranks at Tottenham, admitted that it is a dream come true.
Skipp told the club’s official website about the new deal: “You would never have thought that that young boy walking through at six or seven and then signing at U9s, you’d get to this stage so I’m delighted to sign this new deal.
“It’s something I’m very grateful for. I think it means a lot when you’ve grown up at this club. My whole family support the club and it means a lot when you step out in front of the crowd.
“I’ve missed that feeling obviously in the last few months. That’s something I’m pushing to feel that again.”
According to Charlie Eccleshare, there is still no fixed date of return for Skipp and Spurs could decide to wait until pre-season to welcome the midfielder back into the fold.
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Skipp admitted the injury had been plaguing him for many months and that he was initially playing through pain, hoping that the problem would dissipate.
He said: “I don’t know if you remember the third or fourth game of the season, with England, I came back and I think it was the Crystal Palace game so it dates quite far back in terms of I’ve been having a problem, but I’ve been managing to get through it.
“Come the international break I had an injection which other players have had in the past and the hope was that the original pain would go and that’s not been the case.
“There’s been various times when I’ve felt like I was getting there but with the nature of this injury, it hasn’t materialised that I’ve come back yet. It’s been a really frustrating time for me. The most difficult part has been the unknown.
“When I was out before you knew you had a set time, two months etc, but with this one, it was just about being patient and it’s something that happens in football careers and I’ll definitely make sure that when I’m back I’ll be right.”
Skipp also admitted he has benefited hugely from working with Antonio Conte and his coaching staff, and revealed that he has been sitting in on the tactical meetings despite being out of action.
He added: “In those few months I had with the boss when he first came in I was really starting to improve and to understand his philosophy and I think you can see that in the team, everyone implementing his ideas.
“I think that he’s a coach who will push you and that really helps me in terms of I’m someone who always wants to be going to the next level, the next target.
“So I think I was playing well but there is still a lot of improvement that can definitely be had.
“Even when I’ve been injured I’ve been in all of the meetings and watching training, so you’re still, although you’re not out on the grass, you’re still understanding the concepts he wants, the philosophy and I think it’s always something I’ve tried to do, take on more information.
“Ok maybe when you’re a player maybe you try to keep things simple in your mind at times as well, but when you’ve had this opportunity I’m really interested in the tactics and understanding what he wants from various players on the pitch.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do not think Conte or the club would want to rush Skipp back, given the nature of the injury. I suspect that we will not see the 21-year-old back until pre-season. That would still leave him with enough time to stake a claim for a place in the England squad for the Qatar World Cup in November.
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