Euro 2016: England handed Eric Dier a start against Iceland despite fears he had contracted a virus

Roy Hodgson was forced to replace the 22-year-old with Jack Wilshere at half-time

Eric Dier was not at his best as England crashed out of Euro 2016 on Monday (Getty)

Eric Dier faced Iceland in England’s humiliating Euro 2016 second round exit, despite being forced to speak to the team’s medical staff in the pre-match warm-up due to a virus.

The Tottenham midfielder, arguably England’s best performer throughout the tournament in France, complained of feeling unwell during the pre-match warm-up and was seen taking on water while discussing his condition with an FA medic.

Dier’s state was enough of a concern for Roy Hodgson to speak to Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson on the side of the pitch to prepare him to replace the holding midfielder, only for Dier to insist he was able to start the game in Nice.

But despite the fitness gamble, Hodgson was forced to replace the 22-year-old with Jack Wilshere at half-time.

Following the game, Dier was described by a source close to the dressing room as being 'white as a sheet' when he left the stadium to board the team bus.

While Dier was prepared to play against Iceland, his illness further exposed Hodgson’s decision to select Wilshere in his 23-man squad ahead of Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater, who played a key role in the club’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season.

By selecting Arsenal midfielder Wilshere, who missed virtually the entire season through injury, Hodgson omitted Drinkwater and left Dier as the only recognised holding midfield player in his squad.

In Drinkwater’s absence, Hodgson’s deployed Wilshere alongside captain Wayne Rooney in the second-half against Iceland as England failed to overturn their2-1 half-time deficit against the Euro 2016 minnows.