PLAYING THE LEAD QATAR

Dier: I feared that my England career was over... but I'm so proud to roar as Lion again

ERIC DIER will step on the plane to Qatar tomorrow admitting he thought his international days were over.

The Tottenham defender is a key part of England coach Gareth Southgate’s World Cup plans as they head out to the Middle East – after missing out on the Euros.

But Southgate saw enough in the 28-year-old’s upturn in form to bring him back in from the cold earlier this year, after 18 months out. And Dier, who has 47 caps, is now looking forward to a second World Cup.

Mind you, if England’s first opponents in Qatar – Iran – were watching his performance on Saturday, they might not be too worried.

Dier was not, though, the only Spurs defender who had a shaky day in a scintillating encounter that saw Antonio Conte’s side keep their top-four place safe until at least Boxing Day.

Dier said: “There was a time when I thought I wasn’t going to be involved with England any more.

“I have had to work very hard 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.

“I am extremely proud to play at my second World Cup.

“It is a strange situation. Seven days and it starts. I just want to go home and sleep!”

After three defeats in their previous four league games, Spurs needed this win, which saw them hit back three times.

Dier insisted: “It has been a good first half of the season. We are in the Champions League and the top four.

“It is frustrating to keep on having to come back but we have belief in ourselves. Even when we were 3-2 down, we felt if we got that equaliser we would win.

“The schedule is crazy, I have never experienced anything like it in my life.”

Dier will not want to look back too closely at Leeds’ first goal, which saw Crysencio Summerville nip past him to score. Spurs levelled when Harry Kane volleyed home (above), but Leeds were furious VAR was not called upon to rule that keeper Illan Meslier had been fouled.

United went ahead again when Spurs failed to clear a corner and Rodrigo crashed his shot past Hugo Lloris. But Spurs were level again in this topsy-turvy game when Ben Davies drilled home.

Leeds were far from finished and again Rodrigo evaded them to fire into the far corner. But the hosts, with the returning Dejan Kulusevski always a threat, came back at them with nine minutes left, as Matt Doherty’s cross was not cleared and Rodrigo Bentancur’s deflected shot flew past Meslier.

Two minutes later, Kane’s lovely flick put Kulusevski away, and Bentancur turned in his cross.

To sum up Leeds’ frustration, Tyler Adams was then sent off for his second yellow card.