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Huddersfield's Tom Ince aims to realise England dream

Tom Ince of Huddersfield Town during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Southampton
Image: Huddersfield's Tom Ince says he harbours international ambitions

Huddersfield forward Tom Ince hopes head coach David Wagner can help him realise his England dream.

Wagner handed Ince a ticket back to the Premier League this summer after underwhelming previous spells in the top flight with Crystal Palace and Hull.

"Every English player always wants that dream," said Ince, a club-record signing from Derby for a reported fee of just over £11m in July.

"I represented England at various youth levels and playing in the Premier League always gives you that window.

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Luka Milivojevic under pressure from Tom Ince and Philip Billing
Image: Ince has started in each game of the Terriers' unbeaten start so far

"First and foremost I'll concentrate on my club football, to try and produce and help this team win games and anything off the back of that is a bonus.

"Of course I have a dream and ambition to represent my country, but I've got to produce on the pitch first."

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Ince has played his part in the Terriers' impressive start as they bid to make it four games unbeaten at West Ham on Monday, live on Sky Sports Premier League HD.

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The 25-year-old has started in all three games so far and feels Wagner can help get him closer to international recognition.

David Wagner poses with the Barclays Manager of the Month Award for August
Image: Manager David Wagner picked up the Manager of the Month Award for August

"I'm trying to take the ideas that the boss gives me and develop myself as a player. I know I've still got a lot to learn," Ince said.

"I feel like now I'm 25, I've experienced a lot. I've taken a lot of hits along the road, but the way the manager works, he wants his forward players to show a work ethic to defend as well.

"The manager always said to me 'you don't need to me tell you how to go forward and create and score goals, that's naturally in you'.

David Wagner salutes the crowd after the draw against Southampton
Image: Ince believes playing for Wagner could take him into the running for the senior England side

"All I want to do is give you little bits here and there that I feel can help your game and as long as I can take them on board and implement them as best as I can, everything else is a bonus.

"But there's a long way to go yet, it's only the start of the Premier League season and that's all I concentrate on. We'll see what happens."

Wagner's "full-throttle" football philosophy demands high levels of individual fitness and Ince believes he is in the best shape of his career in the fittest squad he has been in.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: The Huddersield Town team celebrate victory after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town at Sel
Image: Huddersfield have won twice and drawn once in their three league games to date

"Yeah definitely," he said. "For a forward player I don't think I've ever had to do so much running and pressing about the pitch.

"But it's not just a case of running for the sake of running to be fit. The manager wants his forward players to use the energy from the home fans to really put pressure on teams.

"There's always a reason and method behind it and I'm enjoying it, everyone is and you can see that from the performances."

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