Eric Dier in England squad for Spain, France friendlies
Thursday 5 November 2015 19:16, UK
Eric Dier has been included in the England squad for this month's friendly matches against Spain and France.
The newly-converted defensive midfielder, who has represented England at youth and U21 level, is one of four Tottenham players named in a 23-man squad.
Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and Dele Alli also make the cut, but there is no place for their White Hart Lane team-mate Andros Townsend, who has been out of favour and was this week disciplined over a row with a fitness coach.
"He's done very well," Hodgson said of Dier. "He's been playing in the centre of midfield and is of a more defensive bent - we don't have a lot of those players available to us. We're much more blessed with forward or forward-looking players.
"It's a good opportunity for him. He deserves his chance because in a very good Tottenham team he's been a key figure throughout the start of the campaign.
"The same applies to Dele Alli, who impressed us when he was called up last time and who has continued to impress back at Tottenham. We're happy to give him another chance too."
On Townsend's situation he said: "I'm sad for that, for Tottenham, for him. I'm pleased to see him apologise and we will keep a close eye on him. I made my selection before the incident."
Hodgson has Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and Everton defender John Stones back from injury, but Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge all miss out.
England play Spain in Alicante on November 13 before hosting France at Wembley four days later.
Squad: Hart, Butland, Heaton, Bertrand, Cahill, Clyne, Gibbs, Jones, Smalling, Stones, Walker, Alli, Dier, Barkley, Carrick, Delph, Lallana, Milner, Shelvey, Sterling, Kane, Rooney, Vardy.
