I always knew Djed could be a star: Warnock

NEIL Warnock may have had his past differences with Djed Spence, but he'll take great pride if the former Middlesbrough defender makes his England debut tonight against Andorra.

- By CRAIG JOHNS [e-mail] @craig_johns

The Tottenham defender’s career rejuvenation in the last 12 months has resulted in Thomas Tuchel handing him his first England call-up, with the Three Lions also set to play Serbia next Tuesday in their first World Cup qualifiers. If Spence plays both games then Boro are understood to be due payment from Spurs based on the terms of the deal that resulted in his Boro exit back in 2023.

Things haven’t been easy for the right-back in those years since, with three loan moves away from North London before he finally convinced former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou that he had a role to play. His career turnaround has resulted in his call-up, with Warnock hoping to see Spence make his England debut, having first recognised his potential at Boro.