It might only have been 10 minutes but his latest appearance off the bench at Watford last weekend represented another important step for Harry Winks.
The midfielder, 22, looked sharp and drove us forward ultimately in vain as we searched for an equaliser at Vicarage Road.
That was his third substitute appearance this season as he returns from a six-month injury lay-off.
Harry continues to graft away as he aims to get back to the heights of his breakthrough campaign in 2016/17 and some outstanding displays at the highest level, particularly against Real Madrid, in the Champions League last term.
![](https://cdne-totv8-prod-westeurope.azureedge.net/media/8317/harrywinks_fulham_1.jpg?mode=crop&quality=90&width=750*,*https://cdne-totv8-prod-westeurope.azureedge.net/media/8317/harrywinks_fulham_1.jpg?mode=crop&quality=90&width=1024*,*https://cdne-totv8-prod-westeurope.azureedge.net/media/8317/harrywinks_fulham_1.jpg?mode=crop&quality=90&width=1440*,*https://cdne-totv8-prod-westeurope.azureedge.net/media/8317/harrywinks_fulham_1.jpg?mode=crop&quality=90&width=1600)
“I feel like I’m getting there now,” he said. “I’ve been out for five, six months and it takes time but I feel like I’m getting back to my match sharpness.
“It was only 10 minutes (at Watford) and we were 2-1 down, so they were always going to be sitting off us but to come on and have an impact was good for me.
“The 2016/17 season was the breakthrough for me and to then play in those Champions League matches last season, the likes of Real Madrid, that was the pinnacle.
“I think I performed well and that’s the level I want to get back to. I’m confident I can do that. It will take time because I’ve been out for so long but I feel I’m on the road to that, nearly there.
“I just need to get myself back to peak fitness now and as soon as the manager feels I’m ready, it will be up to me to show that I am.”