KIERON DYER was last night named in the England squad for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Turkey and admitted he was looking forward 'to the break'.

The Newcastle United midfielder sees international football as a welcome respite from the daily grind of the Premiership, despite next Wednesday's crunch game against the Turks at the Stadium of Light being a must-win encounter for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men. And Dyer is expected to compete with club teammate Jermaine Jenas for the left sided role in both games - if the game in the European principality of Liechtenstein goes ahead.

Dyer said: "We're going away for ten days, and it will be a welcome break.

"It's very relaxing with England and international football is not as frantic as the Premiership and I will enjoy the rest.

"I think club football does come first and I have to give 100 per cent for Newcastle - you can't be always thinking about England."

The rivalry between teammates Dyer and Jenas remains as friendly as ever, with the former Ipswich Town man even prepared to offer his fellow international a glowing reference. With David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes expected to occupy three midfield berths for England, injuries permitting, it appears to be a direct choice between Dyer and Jenas for the left-hand role.

"There's a lot of talk about me and JJ (Jenas) fighting for the left side but whoever is picked we'll still be rooting for each other," said Dyer.

"JJ can do a great job there, I know he can."

After half an hour of Saturday's game it looked as though Dyer's chances of England selection were hanging by a thread when he came off worse from a clash with Turkish midfielder Tugay and teammate Andy Griffin.

Closer inspection revealed it was Griffin who had caught Dyer on the ankle but after prolonged treatment he was able to resume. Dyer said: "Griffin came in at half-time and couldn't apologise enough. I ran it off and managed to get through the second-half OK. At the time though I was really worried. It was extremely painful, I felt pins and needles in my shin and I was a bit concerned.

"Saturday for me was an extremely hard game, but I'm sure JJ enjoyed a nice little break not coming on until the end."

If Dyer is selected for the Turkey game he will come face-to-face with Blackburn's Tugay again, and he is relishing the prospect. "I enjoy playing against him but our games our completely different," said Dyer. "His is about picking up the ball and letting the ball do the work. Mine is more about running. If I play against him I'm sure it will be an interesting battle."

l UEFA are expected to make a decision today on whether Saturday's game in Liechtenstein goes ahead. Security experts have visited the country with fears that Eriksson's team could be a target for anti-war protesters.

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