ERIC Dier has warned England cannot afford to take Lithuania lightly tomorrow – and is sure the Three Lions have learned from the chastening Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland.

The hype around England in world football has often wedged such nations into "minnows" category but Iceland's stunning run last summer has indicated the gap is closing.

Tottenham midfielder Dier played the first half of England's defeat in Nice last June, as Roy Hodgson's side made a humiliating tournament exit.

And partly because of that experience, Dier insists England will be ready for anything Lithuania have to offer in this weekend's World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Looking back to the Iceland experience, Dier said: "Whenever you're in an England squad you're going to think about it. It's a painful reminder and it's a good lesson for the future.

"We can look back on that game and what we didn't do, and in games like the one on Sunday try to do what we didn't. It's going to be a tough game. In all internationals now there's no really easy games.

"Every team sets up to try to stop us, especially here at Wembley. We have to be confident going into it, try to play quick, attacking football and hopefully they won't be able to handle that.

"It's key we play with intensity, move the ball quickly. I think we need to be aggressive with the ball, move it quickly, and hopefully create a lot of chances and make it exciting for the fans."

The Group F game is England's first qualifier since Gareth Southgate became the team's permanent manager, and will follow four days on from the 1-0 friendly defeat to Germany in Dortmund.

Dier played in that game and has become an England regular in a short space of time. The 23-year-old even fancies the England captaincy one day.

"It's an ambition of mine. I'd love to one day be able to do that," Dier said. "That's something the manager decides and I'm sure he'll pick who he thinks is best.

"I think I've always had qualities that a captain may have and I think I can do that job."

Chris Smalling was forced out of the England squad through injury earlier on Friday, leading Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson to receive his first call-up.

Southgate will also be without the suspended Gary Cahill and injured Phil Jones, giving him a headache in central defence, a position Dier is capable of stepping into if required.

Meanwhile, his Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino held a meeting with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu this week.

It is understood Pochettino and Bartomeu met at a restaurant in the city, where the Spurs boss still owns a house from his days playing for Espanyol.

Pochettino has been linked with taking over at the Nou Camp after Luis Enrique earlier this month announced his decision to step down in the summer.

Spurs, however, are claiming they were aware of the meeting and insist the pair have long been close friends.

It is not clear whether Pochettino had Tottenham's blessing to meet Bartomeu but the get-together will do little to dampen speculation about his future.

The Argentinian signed a new five-year contract at White Hart Lane in May but when asked about a move to Barca earlier this month, he passed up the chance to rule it out.

Pochettino was also spotted having lunch with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson last year before confirming his new deal, although Spurs said they were aware of that meeting too.

Tottenham have made great strides under Pochettino since he arrived from Southampton in 2014.

They sit second in the Premier League table, with 10 games left, and are on course to secure Champions League qualification for a second consecutive year.