Dier out until January after appendix surgery

ERIC IDLE: Dier will now recuperate after undergoing surgery. Pic: Reuters

Eric Dier has had surgery to remove his appendix and is not expected to return to training until January.

Dier, 24, was not part of Spurs' squad on Saturday when they beat Burnley 1-0 at Wembley.

Tottenham said yesterday: "Eric Dier has undergone surgery to remove his appendix.

"The England midfielder was diagnosed with appendicitis after contacting our medical staff due to acute abdominal pain.

"He received immediate treatment to assess and then remove the appendix.

"He will now undergo a period of recovery before commencing rehabilitation and it is expected he will return to training with the squad in January."

Dier has started 13 of third-placed Tottenham's 17 Premier League games this term.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, has backed youngster Oliver Skipp to make it to the top after he made his first senior start against Burnley.

The 18-year-old, who made his Premier League debut against Southampton as a substitute 10 days ago, was thrown into the starting line-up in place of Dier.

And he used the ball well, completing 46 successful passes, before being subbed in the final 15 minutes as Spurs chased a winning goal, which came in stoppage time from Christian Eriksen. Pochettino, who celebrated his 100th Premier League win at Spurs, said Skipp's demeanour before kick-off shows he is destined for big things.

Pochettino enthused: "Fantastic, I think he played like a 30-year-old.

"So relaxed, trying to play forward and trying to give the team plenty of energy. I'm so proud of him.

"I think everyone is proud of him. He is only 18 and I think it was fantastic.

"Now I think it is going to be easy for him because always for the debut you are nervous."

Skipp is the 13th player to have come through the academy used by Pochettino in his four-year spell.

Pochettino added. "I want to congratulate the people in the academy and the coaches and staff who work in education.

"The work they are doing is amazing."

Spurs' win may have come late, but it was deserved as they controlled the game against Burnley, who set up to take a point home.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche used a back three for the first time this season and although ultimately it could not prevent a sixth away defeat, he was happy with how it went.

"We've had an up and down time," he said. "I think it's something we'd consider doing again, we didn't just do it for a gimmick. In many ways today it was effective."