Eric Dier has called his absence from the England squad ‘frustrating’, but vowed to keep fighting for a recall.
The defender has won 49 caps for the Three Lions, but has not played for the national team since their last-16 win over Senegal at the 2022 World Cup.
In the time since, Dier has left Tottenham to join Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga title last season, before making the move to Monaco on a free transfer this summer.
None of this has managed to revive his international career, with new manager Thomas Tuchel yet to name him in any of his squads so far.
England face Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, live on talkSPORT, before a trip to Serbia on Tuesday in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
But even after John Stones was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury, it doesn’t appear that Dier will be called upon.
Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah were all preferred to the former Spurs man as centre-back options.
‘Every time it hurts’
And while Dier has admitted it is demoralising to be overlooked by his national team, he remains hopeful of a recall.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he said of his latest omission: “Yeah, it hurts. Every time it hurts. But hopefully I can make a change.”
Dier then said of his wait to reach 50 caps: “I don’t feel good about it at all. Yeah, I don’t like it.
“Being stuck on 49 is a whole problem in itself! I’m very clear.
“I want to be back in the set-up and it hasn’t happened for the last couple of years. But I believe I can be in it, so I will try and get past the horrible 49.”
Does Dier deserve an England recall?
On paper, Dier’s continued absence from the England set-up may appear slightly harsh.
The 31-year-old has arguably enjoyed the most successful period of his career since joining Bayern on an initial loan deal in January 2024.
He reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in his first season in Bavaria, playing under Tuchel, before making the move permanent and helping his side to league glory last season.
Dier pointed this out himself, as he insisted he has done all he can to make himself part of England’s plans.
He said: “To be completely honest with you it’s been quite frustrating because in the last two years I was playing for Bayern and playing well.
“I played pretty much every game, won the league and played in the quarter-final and semi-final of the Champions League.
“So, I’m playing in those games. I felt like I’d done everything I could to be in the squad. But it just hasn’t happened.”
And while Dier is well known to Tuchel, he admitted he hasn’t spoken to the German coach about his decision not to pick him.
When asked if conversations had taken place, he replied: “No, no, I spoke a few times with his assistant, Anthony [Barry].
“We know each other from Bayern, we know each other well and obviously those conversations are private.
“But my intention is clear – I want to get back in the England squad.
“I felt over the last two years I’ve been playing the best football of my career. I feel in a very good place with my game.”
With less than a year to go until the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, Dier will be hoping a successful season in Ligue 1 will be able to convince Tuchel he is worthy of a recall.