Harry Winks says Tottenham players have bought into 'passionate' Antonie Conte as rejuvenated Spurs midfielder reveals new-found motivation under Italian

Winks has been a bit-part player for Spurs in recent times under Jose Mourinho and subsequently Nuno Espirito Santo during his short term reign in charge.

The 25-year-old made just 15 appearances in the Premier League last season, despite being a regular in the two campaigns before.

The midfielder has been reintroduced to the starting XI in recent weeks by Conte and impressed last time out in the middle of the park as Spurs drew 2-2 with Liverpool in a thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Winks was named man-of-the-match for his display against the Reds and, in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT host Jim White, Winks said he is feeling a new lease of life since the Italian's arrival in N17 last month.

"He's given me some confidence again and it's been nice to hear," the Spurs academy graduate told the White and Jordan show.

"The manager speaks and gives you information and tells you what he wants to improve on.

"Whenever I go on the pitch in training and in matches, I want to give my all for the manager because if I get given that motivation then I don't want to let the manager down.

"It's an opportunity for me and every time I play, I have to take that."

Winks revealed that Conte gave everyone a clean slate when he arrived at Hotspur Way and he's relished the chance to grab the opportunity with both hands.

"He said to everybody if you deserve to play and show it in training, then you'll get the opportunity," he continued.

"The manager's been true to his word and everybody's been given a chance and, depending on how you train and how you work, the manager will reward that.

"It's good to have that motivation in the squad that you know if you train well you'll get the opportunity.

"I think everybody is striving to work as hard as possible because everyone wants to play - especially myself as it's been a different couple of seasons in terms of getting regular game time."

Conte's intensity is feeding through to the Spurs squad and Winks reckons that showed in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool, which the north London club really should have won if it wasn't for a host of spurned chances.

"His passion before a game, half-time, in meetings, it's very clear that he loves football and wants everybody to be on the same level as him," the midfielder explained.

"We've got a good group of lads who want to improve and do well.

"We know we have underachieved in the last couple of seasons so it's important we do everything we can to get back on the pitch and show everybody what we're capable of."