Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur: Eric Dier 'excited' that Spurs' challenge is gathering strength

Dier has started 32 of Spurs’ 33 matches so far this season but is in excellent shape and says he does not feel tired

Eric Dier switched back to defence in the FA Cup on Saturday but will be in midfield at Norwich (Reuters)

Tottenham Hotspur go to Norwich City tonight aiming for their fifth consecutive win in all competitions, a run they have not put together since the start of the 2009-10 season, when Harry Redknapp was manager and Robbie Keane partnered Jermain Defoe up front.

That Spurs side finished the season fourth in the Premier League, beating Manchester City into the Champions League places. This year they are also chasing City, but with higher ambitions.

This is all new ground for Spurs and Eric Dier, the 22-year-old linchpin of the team, admitted they are loving it. “It is very exciting, we are still in three competitions and in good positions in all three, so we are looking forward to it,” Dier said.

“Being up there we have had a bit more attention on us, but I think everyone is enjoying it. I don’t think anyone feels any extra pressure, we are just going to try and keep doing what we have done so far.”

Dier has started 32 of Spurs’ 33 matches so far this season but is in excellent shape and says he does not feel tired. “I am enjoying it, I never complain about playing,” he said. “I am happy to be playing as regularly as I am. There is no reason to complain. I feel extremely fit.”

Almost all of those games have been in holding midfield, a position that Dier has made his own, although on Saturday against Colchester in the FA Cup he returned to play at centre-back as Toby Alderweireld was rested. Tonight at Carrow Road the Belgian is likely to return and play alongside Kevin Wimmer, pushing Dier back into midfield.

“It is up to the manager, I am happy to play anywhere,” Dier added. “I have played in a new position this season so I was starting from scratch really with the media. Everyone was doubting at the beginning but I wasn’t too bothered, to be honest, as long as the manager was happy with me.

“Gradually I have been improving more and more, so it has given me a lot, given me my England debut and a lot of games for Spurs. I am happy to be playing wherever the manager wants.”

Norwich could hand debuts to loan signing Patrick Bamford and fellow new recruit Timm Klose this evening.

Bamford joined on loan from Chelsea on Sunday and could start up front for Alex Neil’s side. Klose may feature in defence.