Eric Dier in England squad for Spain and France friendlies

Eric Dier has played in central midfield for Tottenham this season after starting his Premier League career at right-back and centre-back.

Uncapped Tottenham utility player Eric Dier has been named in the England squad for the first time for friendlies against Spain and France.

Dier, 21, has played in central midfield for Spurs this season but has also played in defence.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka, Arsenal pair Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Liverpool forward Danny Ings all miss out through injury.

Fabian Delph - who has played for four minutes since September - returns.

The Manchester City midfielder injured his hamstring playing for England against Switzerland in September but made his comeback as a late substitute in Seville in midweek.

England face reigning European champions Spain in Alicante on Friday, 13 November before playing Euro 2016 hosts France at Wembley four days later.

Manager Roy Hodgson said: "Eric Dier has done very well. He is a player with a more defensive bent.

"There are not a lot of players like that available to us. It is a good opportunity to see what he can do for us. He has been a key figure for Tottenham in this campaign."

Dier's Spurs team-mate Andros Townsend is left out.

Townsend was omitted from Spurs' squad for the Europa League match against Anderlecht at White Hart Lane on Thursday after clashing with the club's fitness coach Nathan Gardiner, but Hodgson confirmed that that incident played no part in his non-selection.

"I had made my selection before the incident in which he was punished by Tottenham," Hodgson said.

"I am sad for that. Sad for him, sad for Tottenham. These things do happen. I am pleased to see he has apologised.

"Andros Townsend will continue to be a player we will keep a close eye on because he has done well for us when he has been in the squad."

Jamie Vardy (right) started on the left of a front three in Lithuania last month.

Leicester forward Jamie Vardy is again included after his run of scoring in eight consecutive Premier League games, but Hodgson would not confirm whether he would be given a start in a central role.

"I don't think players should be hung up on one particular position," Hodgson said.

"I think Jamie Vardy can play in any of the three forward positions. He should be happy to be in the squad, he should be happy to convince us he should be in the team."

England squad to face Spain and France

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)