The Leeds United striker played just over 30 minutes for England against Uruguay last week.
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early exit from the England camp was pre-planned and not linked to performance, the YEP understands.
Calvert-Lewin earned his first international call-up in five years for the final break before this summer’s World Cup. A return to the England setup was just rewards for a brilliant debut campaign at Leeds in which he’s been almost always available and scored 10 Premier League goals.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel named an enlarged 35-man squad with his first-team core - Harry Kane included - given the night off against Uruguay on Friday. Dominic Solanke started upfront against Marcelo Bielsa’s side with Calvert-Lewin introduced off the bench on 56 minutes.
The Leeds striker missed a glorious chance to put England 1-0 up on 70 minutes, his close-range header from a Cole Palmer free-kick glancing wide. Ben White did open the scoring before a Federico Valverde penalty saw the friendly end 1-1.
In the aftermath of that draw, Calvert-Lewin took to social media to share his joy of returning to international football. He wrote on X: “An honour to be back wearing the England shirt, loved every minute”.
As was expected to happen, Tuchel welcomed back his first-team unit ahead of facing Japan and eight squad members subsequently returned to their clubs. Among them was Calvert-Lewin, with Tottenham frontman Solanke staying in camp to support the returning Kane.
Discussion since has suggested Calvert-Lewin’s chance to secure a World Cup spot has come and gone, with the Leeds striker sent home early after an underwhelming return. But YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth has since reported via X that decision was pre-planned and not linked to performance.
Thomas Tuchel on England exits amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin Leeds United return
Other exits included Arsenal trio Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice who returned to the Emirates for medical assessment. John Stones and Adam Wharton also returned to Manchester City and Crystal Palace respectively, having picked up knocks. There was no suggestion of any fitness issue for Calvert-Lewin.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Japan at Wembley, Tuchel was asked about the number of exits, focusing mainly on those withdrawing through injury. But the Three Lions boss did suggest another consideration was those who have played more minutes than previous years and others whose clubs are still in multiple competitions - Calvert-Lewin fits into both categories.
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“It's the reality of the season, the reality of the end of March, the reality of players involved in more than one competition,” he said. "We have players in camp that have already played more minutes than last season, so there is some concern.”
Asked if he’d got any closer to figuring out contingencies if Kane should miss out, Tuchel responded: “Not close. I have some ideas but I will not make them public. I’m happy Harry is back in camp, our skipper and goalscorer. He will lead the team [vs Japan] and we have some options.”
Calvert-Lewin returns to Leeds well-rested and in good time to play a part in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final trip to West Ham, should Daniel Farke decide to go full-strength. The 29-year-old should also be recharged for a crucial Premier League survival run-in with seven games left for the Whites t avoid relegation.
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