The case for Eric Dier’s England recall, which has been gathering support and good reason for months, will reach its decisive stage in a week when he returns to where it all began.
Tottenham’s next game will be Tuesday’s Champions League tie at Sporting Lisbon, a club where Dier came through the academy ranks and made his debut in senior football nearly a decade ago.
Two days later, Gareth Southgate will reveal his final England squad selection before the World Cup finals in Qatar, ahead of UEFA Nations League games against Italy and Germany.