Search icon

Sport

05th Nov 2015

Tottenham midfielder gets first England call-up

Kevin Beirne

Eric Dier has been called up to the England squad ahead of a potential first cap.

The Tottenham midfielder has been rewarded for a string of impressive performances with his club which have seen Spurs concede just nine goals in their first 11 league games this season.

Speaking at the squad announcement in Wembley, England manager Roy Hodgson said of Dier, “It’s a position in central midfield, someone more defensive and we’re more blessed with more forward looking players. It’s a good opportunity to see what he can do. He deserves his chance because he’s been important for Tottenham this season.”

Dier is joined in the squad by Tottenham team-mates Kyle Walker, Dele Alli and Harry Kane – who is one of three strikers alongside Premier League top-scorer Jamie Vardy and Wayne Rooney.

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton joins Dier as the only non-capped player in the squad.

England play Spain in Alicante on Friday, November 13 before returning to Wembley to face Euro 2016 hosts France on Tuesday, November 17.

The squad in full is:

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)