Ruud van Nistelrooy wanted the midfielder to stay at the training base overnight
The axed star is one of three players who travels more than 90 miles to training
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By BEN WILLCOCKS
Published: 19:08 EDT, 3 April 2025 | Updated: 19:08 EDT, 3 April 2025
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has axed one of his senior players after the midfielder refused to compromise on his 100-mile commute to training, according to reports.
The Dutchman was reportedly involved in a heated confrontation with former England international Harry Winks after he rejected a request to stay overnight once a week at the Foxes' training ground in north Leicestershire.
According to The Telegraph, Winks, 29, is one of three senior Leicester players who travel more than 90 miles every day to the club's Seagrave training base.
The newspaper claims that the former Tottenham star, who joined Leicester for a fee of £10million in July 2023, has his own private reasons for commuting almost 100 miles to training every day — a journey permitted by ex-Foxes boss Enzo Maresca.
Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed as Leicester's new manager in November following the sack of Steve Cooper, reportedly views the commute as indiscipline and wanted Winks to stay overnight at the training base to aid preparation ahead of the club's Premier League clash with reigning champions Man City on Wednesday.
Leicester's state-of-the-art £100m training base is equipped with hotel accommodation, as well as a nine-hole golf course.
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy (above) has dropped one of his senior players after the English midfielder refused to compromise on his 100-mile commute to training
Harry Winks (above) is one of three Foxes stars who travel more than 90 miles to training
It is understood Winks' journey to training was permitted by ex-Foxes boss Enzo Maresca
With Van Nistelrooy eager to turn his side's fortunes amid a dismal run of form, he had his Leicester squad train in the afternoon before returning for another session the following morning.
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.
Sources close to the Telegraph claim Van Nistelrooy's confrontation with Winks was heated, with the Dutchman only recently speaking of his eagerness to instil high standards at the King Power.
Leicester suffered a 2-0 defeat against Pep Guardiola's side on the night, with goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush consigning 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.
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.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is a possible target for relegation-threatened Leicester
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.
Ruud van NistelrooyLeicester