Tottenham youngster Eric Dier called up by England for Spain and France friendlies

Eric Dier has been called up to the England squad by Roy Hodgson

TOTTENHAM'S Eric Dier has been called into Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the high-profile friendly matches with Spain and France.

 

Team-mate Dele Alli also keeps his place for the matches despite discussions between Hodgson and U21s coach Gareth Southgate on where the youngster should continue his international development.

The inclusion for the first time of Dier, 21, comes with injuries having decimated his Hodgson’s plans to play his strongest team in the games, which start against reigning European champions Spain in Alicante a week tomorrow.

Euro 2016 hosts France arrive at Wembley the following Tuesday.

  

Eric Dier in action for England Under 21s

Dier has been playing as a defensive midfielder for Spurs since the start of the season rather than as a centre-half or full-back.

His elevation comes a year after he withdrew from the U21s for games against Portugal and France because he was worried about his form for Spurs.

Fabian Delph is also included having just played nine minutes for Manchester City in their win over Sevilla in midweek two months after suffering a hamstring injury playing for England against Switzerland.

England: Jack Butland, Joe Hart, Tom Heaton, Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Fabian Delph, Eric Dier, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling. Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy.