Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been released from the England camp after missing his big opportunity against Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
10:18, 30 Mar 2026
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of England misses a chance
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin of England misses a chance(Image: Getty Images)
Alan Shearer has criticised Dominic Calvert-Lewin for wasting his chance with England in the drab 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
The Leeds United forward came off the bench on Friday night, replacing Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke ten minutes into the second half.
It was his first international appearance since July 2021 and came at a time when Thomas Tuchel was trying out strikers to see what options he has behind Harry Kane and regular back-up, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, left out.
Calvert-Lewin’s big moment arrived from a Cole Palmer free kick which found the centre-forward unmarked, seven-yards out, at the back post. Unfortunately for Calvert-Lewin he made minimal contact and the ball skimmed wide.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer was unforgiving in his assessment of the incident. “There’s a lack of forwards for England, I know Calvert-Lewin had a great opportunity that he missed in the second half,” the former striker said.
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“The number of centre forwards we had was unbelievable, there hardly seems to be any now. But it is alarming the lack of centre forwards who are top quality centre forwards that we’ve got in our country.
“For Ollie Watkins the other night, with those two playing, Solanke did alright, Calvert-Lewin came on and missed an absolute sitter, I guess he was sat at home thinking ‘I need to be in the squad’.”
Co-host Gary Lineker added: “Because when you get a chance, you’ve got to score as a striker.”
It was announced at the weekend that Calvert-Lewin was one of eight players being released and allowed to return to their clubs – with Solanke remaining.
The Football Association released a statement which read: “A revised England squad of 27 players are preparing for Tuesday’s fixture with Japan at Wembley Stadium. In total, eight players are due to leave camp, including Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“John Stones is returning to Manchester City for assessment after picking up an issue in training prior to Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke have gone back to their clubs with knocks picked up during the match.
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“Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will also return to Arsenal for medical assessment, having arrived on Friday along with nine other players. The rest of that group comprised of Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane.”
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