Harry Winks appeared to confirm the reason for his 100-mile commute to Leicester training that ’caused him to be banished by Ruud van Nistelrooy’.
The midfielder was reportedly at loggerheads with his manager, who views the long journey as indiscipline.
According to the Telegraph, the disagreement led to Winks being banished from the squad after he refused the request to stay overnight once a week at the training ground.
But internet sleuths noticed Winks ‘like’ a comment on his Instagram, appearing to reveal the reason why he opts to make such a long journey.
Under a picture of his daughter, Marlowe Otilia Winks, who was born last month, one follower wrote: ‘This is why you didn’t commute, that’s media for you.’
Winks liked the comment, implying his commute is due to needing to spend time with his firstborn child and partner Lowri Algar.
Harry Winks, pictured with daughter Marlowe Otilia Winks, hinted at the reason behind his long commute to Leicester training
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy dropped Winks after a reported bust-up
Winks welcomed a daughter with partner Lowri Algar last month
The former Tottenham star, who joined Leicester for a fee of £10million in July 2023, had been permitted by ex-Foxes boss Enzo Maresca to make the journey last season.
Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed as Leicester’s new manager in November following the sack of Steve Cooper, is understood to have taken a dim view of the lengthy commute and the pair reportedly had a heated confrontation about the issue.
Leicester’s state-of-the-art £100m training base is equipped with hotel accommodation, as well as a nine-hole golf course.
Winks, who has played 25 games across all competitions for Leicester this season and featured off the bench during the Foxes’ last three matches before Wednesday, was axed from Van Nistelrooy’s squad for the clash at the Etihad, which they lost 2-0.
Goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush consigned the club to their 21st loss of the Premier League campaign.
Sitting in 19th and 12 points adrift from safety, Van Nistelrooy has a seismic task on his hands to earn Leicester survival with just eight games to go.
It is not yet known whether Winks will make a return to the Leicester squad for Monday’s match against Newcastle.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is a possible target for relegation-threatened Leicester should Van Nistelrooy leave in the summer.
The Dutchman reportedly views Winks’ commute as indiscipline and wanted the player to stay overnight at Leicester’s training base to aid preparation ahead of facing Manchester City
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is a possible target for relegation-threatened Leicester
Asked about his future last month, Van Nistelrooy said: ‘I signed a contract for two more years after this one.
‘I was aware when I arrived what the challenge was and how difficult it could be. I was aware of that and committed to that future.’
But should he and Leicester part ways, Mail Sport understands Rohl would be prominent in the club’s thoughts. The German has done a fine job at Wednesday, steering them to safety last season in his first senior role.
This term, the 35-year-old has kept the Owls well clear of trouble and in with an outside chance of the play-offs.
Rohl, who is believed to have a significant compensation clause in his contract, impressed Foxes recruitment chief Martyn Glover when both were working at Southampton.
The manager would be a contender for the Saints role, too, if Ivan Juric leaves in the summer.
