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Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier eyes England dream

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and West H
Image: Spurs defender Kieran Trippier wants to be a regular starter for England

Kieran Trippier has won the battle to be Tottenham's first-choice right-back and now wants to nail down an England starting berth.

Trippier was included in Gareth Southgate's 25-man squad on Thursday and is likely to be given a chance to impress in friendlies against Germany and Brazil later this month.

Southgate watched Trippier star as Spurs demolished European champions Real Madrid to seal progress to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday when Trippier laid on Dele Alli's first goal.

"I think personally it's one of my best performances since I've been at Tottenham, and throughout my whole career to be honest," Trippier said.

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"Playing against these players, playing in the Champions League, it just what you dream of as a young boy and I can only thank Tottenham for letting me do that."

Trippier joined Spurs from Burnley in 2015 but spent his first two seasons largely as a deputy to Kyle Walker, who left for Manchester City in the summer.

"When I first came here I knew it was going to be difficult because I knew Walks [Walker] was playing when I came to Tottenham," Trippier said.

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"I knew how well he'd been doing. He's been England's number one so I wasn't expecting to come here and just walk into the team.

"I knew it was going to be difficult, I knew I had to wait for my time and be patient. It took two years but I was willing to wait, work hard on the training field and I'm playing regular football now for one of the best clubs in England."

Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli (R) celebrates with Kieran Trippier after scoring the opening goal v Real Madrid at Wembley in the Champions League
Image: Dele Alli (R) celebrates with Trippier after scoring the opening goal against Real Madrid

Trippier's battle with Walker is not over, however, with the duo now fighting it out for a starting berth for England at next year's World Cup in Russia.

Tottenham's England contingent, which includes Alli, Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Harry Winks, all excelled against Madrid.

"I didn't know [Southgate] was there but whenever I play I try to do my best," Trippier said.

"It's always a dream to play for England and I just need to do as well as I can with my performances for my club.

"If I get selected by Gareth Southgate then perfect, I'll try to do my best for England. Everyone wants to play for their country and it's no different for me."

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