'Exciting games for different reasons' - Dier on our opening fixtures in 2017-18

He might have just blown the final whistle on a long season, but Eric Dier was excited for the start of next season when the fixture list was announced this morning.

Eric lined-up with team-mates Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier an Kyle Walker - and not forgetting Hugo Lloris - as England lost 3-2 against France in Paris last night.

The Premier League fixtures for 2017-18 duly arrived at 9am this morning - throwing up a trip to Newcastle on the opening day, August 12 and then a cracker for our first home game at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, against champions Chelsea, August 19.

Remember, all fixtures at this stage are provisional and subject to change - fixture list in FULL HERE...

Of course, an early trip to Newcastle will rekindle memories of our 5-1 loss at St James' Park on the final day of 2015-16 - and that was certainly at the forefront of Eric's mind.

"These are two very exciting games for different reasons," said the midfielder who made 48 appearances for us last term, including 36 of 38 as we finished a Club best second in the Premier League.

"Newcastle have just come up (as Championship title-winners) and I'm sure the atmosphere will be fantastic for their first game back in the Premier League.

"We want to start well - and make up for what happened there on the last day of the season two years ago.

"Then it's Chelsea...we've had some great games against them in recent seasons and we will be looking to set down an early marker."