Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino has reassured Eric Dier that he is still a big part of his plans and has his full support.
Dier is expected to be recalled to the Spurs starting line-up for their Champions League group game at Bayer Leverkusen tonight.
The England international has not been named in Pochettino’s first XI for a month, first because of injury and then due to the form of Victor Wanyama, who has taken the role in defensive midfield Dier held last season.
Dier’s lack of game-time took its toll while on England duty last week and he was poor in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
The 22-year-old is set to face Bayer Leverkusen this evening, but only because defender Toby Alderweireld has been ruled out with a knee injury.
But Pochettino has made it clear that Dier is a key member of his squad and said: “The important thing is that we trust in him.
In pictures: Tottenham training at BayArena
“It’s not important the position he maybe plays tonight — centre-half, midfield or full-back — we believe in him and we trust in him.
“We trust him as a person, his skills. For me Eric is a player who can develop his game in different positions.”
Dier has been earmarked as a possible future England captain following his impressive displays at Euro 2016.
But caretaker coach Gareth Southgate has admitted that places in the England squad will be under threat if players do not appear regularly for their club.
Head to standard.co.uk/tottenham from 6:30pm for build-up and live coverage of tonight’s Champions League clash in Leverkusen, or click here to for more information.
