Not again, Jose!
ERIC DIER is an injury doubt for England’s clash with Denmark tonight — news that is sure to irritate Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho. Sportsmail understands the Spurs defender, who completed the full 90 minutes on Sunday as England beat Belgium 2-1, is nursing a minor hamstring problem. Wolves defender Conor Coady is on standby to replace Dier
in the heart of England’s back three if he cannot prove his fitness to boss Southgate. The injury will sound alarm bells at Tottenham, after Harry Kane was introduced as a second-half substitute during the win over Belgium despite apparently being short of fitness. Southgate moved to quell suggestions of tensions with Spurs over England’s handling of Kane, insisting his captain was merely complaining of muscle fatigue. Southgate is set to start his talismanic striker against the Danes tonight. But Dier’s muscular complaint will add to Spurs’ and Mourinho’s frustration, particularly after the Portuguese pleaded with Southgate to be careful with his players ahead of the international triple-header. Kane’s return to the starting XI will be one of up to three changes to the team who started against Belgium. Chelsea youngster Reece James is in line for his full debut in place of Liverpool star Trent AlexanderArnold at right wing-back, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles hoping to replace Kieran Trippier on the opposite flank. Atletico Madrid’s Trippier was a shock withdrawal from the squad yesterday as he was given leave to attend a hearing in relation to his FA betting case. Trippier was charged with misconduct earlier this year over alleged betting around his move to Atletico in July 2019. ‘I’ve known (about it), I spoke with Kieran last week and the situation is what it is,’ Southgate said. ‘We have had several pullouts over the last few months and this is another one that I’ve got to cope with.’