England manager Thomas Tuchel has made it clear he wants to learn more about Leeds United marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The 29-year-old is enjoying a new lease of life in West Yorkshire having struggled with injury during his final years at Everton.
He has weighed in with 10 goals for the Whites this term and his return to form has pushed him back into the England fold.
He has been called up alongside Tottenham Hotspur forward Dominic Solanke, who has had injury problems of his own.
The pair will be assessed during the early stages of the camp before some of the more established figures report for duty ahead of the Japan meeting. It is not clear whether or not the pair will then be released back to their respective clubs.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has recalled Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.placeholder image
England manager Thomas Tuchel has recalled Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin. | Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Dominic Calvert-Lewin call-up explained
Tuchel said: “I think they’re (Calvert-Lewin and Solanke) the same profile. Harry Kane is not in the camp in the beginning, so I want to see them both. I want to know more about Dom Solanke, who was with us once but then long-time injured.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had a good season with Leeds and he’s very decisive. Both [are] good penalty-takers, by the way, so I want to see what they’re capable of. I want to see if they can fill the gap, what they can bring, what they can offer with set-pieces with their strengths in the body and height that they bring.
“I want to learn about them and let’s see. The competition is on. They will compete now for minutes against Uruguay. They have a real chance to get minutes against Uruguay.”
Understanding the situation
Calvert-Lewin has made no secret of his desire to secure a seat on the plane for this summer’s World Cup. He was last capped in the summer of 2021, when he featured as a substitue in the Euro 2020 quarter-final win over Ukraine.
Tuchel said the Sheffield United academy graduate is excited about being back in the mix, but that he also understands the challenge he faces.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not featured for England since 2021.placeholder image
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not featured for England since 2021. | Paul Ellis/PA Wire
England’s boss said: “They were, of course, excited about the call-up. They understand the situation and I think that helps, to be clear what the situation is in which they come.
“They have a real chance to get an England cap, to get minutes and of course, they’re excited.
“It is a decision for Dom Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who I don’t know as well as I know, for example, Ollie Watkins. I feel I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us.”
England will face Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay on March 27 before locking horns with Japan on March 31.