PLAYING THE LEAD QATAR

Dier: I feared that my England career was over... but I’m so proud to roar as Lion again

- TONY BANKS

ERIC DIER will step on the plane to Qatar tomorrow admitting he thought his international days were over. 

The Tottenham defender is a key part of England coach Gareth Southgate’s World Cup plans as they head out to the Middle East – after missing out on the Euros.

But Southgate saw enough in the 28-year-old’s upturn in form to bring him back in from the cold earlier this year, after 18 months out. And Dier, who has 47 caps, is now looking forward to a second World Cup.

Mind you, if England’s first opponents in Qatar – Iran – were watching his performance on Saturday, they might not be too worried.

Dier was not, though, the only Spurs defender who had a shaky day in a scintillating encounter that saw Antonio Conte’s side keep their top-four place safe until at least Boxing Day.