Eric Dier says this week’s double-header with Finland and San Marino on home soil comes as a welcome boost for the England Under-21s squad.
The two previous two meet-ups for Gareth Southgate’s squad this season have seen trips abroad to Finland and San Marino respectively, but England now have matches in Milton Keynes and Shrewsbury to look forward to.
And the Sporting Lisbon defender is quite happy to see back-to-back home games to bring 2013 to a close for the Under-21s.
He told TheFA.com: “Everyone is quite happy that we don’t have to travel this time and we’ve got two home games.
“The travelling can be quite hard and tiring so it’s good that we’ve got two home games this time.”
Of course, travelling is something that Dier is used to as he faces a return-trip from Portugal for every England meet-up.
But that doesn’t stop Head Coach Gareth Southgate from keeping tabs on his form at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
“Gareth’s really good with that,” revealed the 19-year-old.
“He spoke to me last time I was here because he’d seen some of my games on tape, so I appreciate that.
“He keeps an eye on me, because I’m obviously in a different country, so that’s good for me.”
Finland are the first opponents on Thursday evening and Dier was part of the squad which drew 1-1 with them in Tampere two months ago.
That remains the only game of the campaign so far which has seen England held back from victory and Dier knows it is likely to be another big test for the Three Lions at stadiummk.
“They were our toughest opponents so far, they are a good side and we know their threats and their weaknesses,” added Dier.
“The game over there was quite hard and there were a couple of factors in that, but they are a good side and we have to respect that.”
