TRIPP IS RIGHT IN ENGLAND MIX

KIERAN TRIPPIER had to bide his time to finally get Kyle Walker’s Tottenham spot – and now he wants his England shirt, too.

The defender, 26, endured long months in Walker’s shadow at White Hart Lane before emerging late last season as the right-back in waiting.

A run of Premier League games for the stand-in full-back in the final weeks of the season convinced boss Mauricio Pochettino to cut Walker loose and give Trippier the chance he craved after joining from Burnley in a £3.5million deal in 2015. And Walker’s £54m departure to Manchester City has been a windfall for Trippier too after signing a new five-year deal the day before Spurs flew out on their US summer tour.

But he also has his sights set on the 2018 World Cup after winning his first senior cap last month in England’s friendly with France.

He said: “Looking back to the end of the season, it was one of the proudest moments of my life, putting on that England shirt.

“I’ve got to thank the manager at Tottenham for that because I’ve learned a lot off him since coming here. He’s taught me a lot defensively and offensively and made me a better player.

“My dream is always to play for England. Now, getting that cap has just made me more hungry.