Tottenham's Eric Dier has revealed he feared he would never play for England again as he prepares for his second World Cup 2022.
Dier, 28, was part of the England squads for Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 but missed out of a place at the last European Championships after his form nosedived for Spurs.
But since the appointment of Antonio Conte as Spurs head coach a year ago, Dier has impressed as part of a back three and he earned a first England call-up in 18 months for the September internationals.
The centre-half is now hoping to be part of Gareth Southgate's defence in Qatar and says he is proud to be going to another finals.
"I am extremely proud to play at my second World Cup," Dier said. "Obviously I am well aware it is a very privileged position to be in. There was a time when I thought I wasn’t going to be in anyway involved with England anymore.
“I have had to work very hard, fight a lot to get back in. I am very proud of that. I am proud to be going to another World Cup. I can’t wait. It is going to be an incredible experience. I am really looking forward to being a part of it."
Dier has featured in all 22 of Spurs' matches in the first half of the season and, of Premier League players, only team-mate Harry Kane has played more minutes in all competitions.
He admitted it was strange to be opening the World Cup against Iran on November 21 just eight days after the domestic season paused, and said Spurs had done well to navigate the first half of the campaign in "crazy" circumstances.
"It is a strange situation," he said. "Like a week or so, nine days and it starts. No I can’t believe it - I just want to go home and go to sleep! It’s been a really tough period, I don’t even know how long it’s been, it feels like a year but it’s been about six weeks.
“It’s been really tough for everyone, at every club, players, staff and medical departments, coaching staff. It’s been a tough period and I am just really happy to get through it with no injuries, and in general we have done well to get through it. Disappointed with a few results towards the end, but I think everyone has experienced that - you look at Manchester City on Saturday - it’s been a tough period for everyone.
"The schedule is crazy, I have never experienced anything like it in my life. Playing every three days for I don’t know how long it has been – it’s unheard of I think. So, obviously it has been tough for everyone. But yeah that’s the situation.”
