Ryan Mason admits England call-up gave him sleepless nights but the midfielder wants to cement his Three Lions place 

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You'd think landing your first ever England call-up would ensure a good night's sleep.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for Ryan Mason.

The landmark moment in any footballer's career was a cause of sleepless nights; so much so, the Tottenham midfielder believes his lack of shut-eye caused him a dip in form.

Ryan Mason's call-up into the England squad caused him sleepless nights and a dip in form for Tottenham

Mason believes that he is better for the experience from his first ever call-up into the England team

Mason (left) and Harry Kane both broke into the England side with impressive form for Tottenham

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino had noticed the dip in form from midfield player Mason

His manager Mauricio Pochettino noticed it to.

'The first time, emotionally and everything it took a lot of out of me,' said Mason.

'I think gaffer said it as well, for two or three games I struggled physically and I didn’t realise how much being called up took out of me.

'Why? Just the emotions of it. Obviously making your England debut is your proudest moment as a player and I don’t think I slept that week.

'It was just due to speaking with people and the excitement of what had happened. Obviously that ended up having an effect on me on the football pitch.

'But the gaffer stuck with me and I think I have learnt from that. Now, hopefully, when I am in that position again it won’t affect me like that again.

'In the last two or three games I felt back to my old self and there is no sense of wanting to rest. I am excited and I want to go to play for my country again.'

It's that sort of honesty that's helped Mason finally make the grade at White Hart Lane.

His Spurs career looked to be going nowhere prior to Pochettino's arrival last summer.

At the age of 23, he'd played just four senior games for the club - all in cup competitions - and been loaned out to Doncaster, Millwall, Yeovil and Swansea.

But Pochettino spotted something his predecessors didn't; a calmness and efficiency that has become a key feature of Tottenham's engine room.

Since his first appearance under Pochettino, scoring in a Capital One Cup win over Swansea, Mason hasn't looked back.

The fact he was handed his first ever league start for the club three days later against arch-rivals Arsenal tells you all you need to know.

A year ago, Mason (centre) was playing for Swindon during a loan spell from Tottenham in League One

Mason (left) says the emotions of being brought into the England team took its toll upon him

Mason is in Australia with Tottenham for their end of season tour after the end of the Premier League season

But Mason is refusing to believe the hype. One season doesn't make a career. A certain Harry Kane will know that, too.

'Harry and myself are both hardworking lads and we’ve not had an easy road to get to where we are,' said the Spurs academy graduate.

'So I don’t think there is any sense of us both easing up now. We are both eager to keep learning and improving.

'We’ve had a tough road, we’ve both had to go out on loan and learn football the proper way.

'It means we both appreciate being out on the pitch for Tottenham.

'Last season I was in League One with Swindon and, no disrespect but, it makes you appreciate playing at a high level, and I don’t want that to stop.

'Personally I just want to kick on, stay in the team and keep improving. I am learning a lot under this manager and hopefully that can continue.'

Mason's currently in Australia, where Tottenham play their final post-season clash on Saturday.

The encounter against Sydney FC will keep him ticking over nicely as he prepares for his second England call-up for the games against Republic of Ireland and Slovenia next month.

With his England debut, against Italy in March, already under his belt, his second international get-together won't be anywhere near as nerve-wracking as his sleep deprived first.

Nonetheless, getting the call from Roy Hodgson the second time was just as satisfying for the midfielder.

'The first one came as a shock but was through someone (Adam Lallana) pulling out injured,' explained Mason.

'Don’t get me wrong, it was still an honourable feeling and great. But to be recognised and put in the initial squad (this time), as a personal achievement, it’s massive.

'I am still young, I am still learning. I am still working hard and I want to improve. It is tough to get to the top - and to stay there and keep improving is probably one of the most difficult things.

'But I am relishing the challenge and hopefully I can keep on improving.

Mason (right) of Tottenham challenges Everton attacking midfield player Leon Osman for possession

Mason (left) does not want his breakthrough season at Tottenham to be a one-off in his career

Mason (centre) will be back in the England squad for games against Ireland and Slovenia next month

I've learned a lot. I think the main thing is the mental side of the game – it’ s massive, your recovery and stuff.

'I am very professional off the pitch and I do things right. But mentally you can only learn from playing 35-40 games in a season, and hopefully next season, if I get to 35-40 games I will be more fresher mentally.'

Sleeping will help keep you fresh, too, Ryan.