Why Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin left England camp early as Thomas Tuchel explains exits | OneFootball

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early departure from England duty was planned in advance and not performance related, yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk understands.

The Leeds United striker received a first call-up in five years for the final pre-World Cup camp, rewarded for a strong debut season that includes 10 Premier League goals.

Thomas Tuchel named a 35-man group and rested his core, Harry Kane included, against Uruguay on Friday. Dominic Solanke started, Calvert-Lewin arrived on 56 minutes, then headed wide from a Cole Palmer free-kick on 70. Ben White scored before Federico Valverde’s penalty sealed a 1-1 draw.

Calvert-Lewin expressed delight at returning to the national side after the game. Tuchel then reintegrated his first-choice unit for Japan at Wembley on Tuesday, with eight players sent back to clubs, among them Calvert-Lewin. Solanke remained to support the returning Kane.

Other departures included Arsenal trio Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice for medical assessment, while John Stones and Adam Wharton went back to Manchester City and Crystal Palace after knocks. There was no suggestion of any fitness issue for Calvert-Lewin.

Ahead of Japan, the manager cited late-March workloads, players already exceeding last season’s minutes and clubs still in multiple competitions as factors behind the withdrawals.

Calvert-Lewin now heads back to Leeds refreshed and in time for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at West Ham, should Daniel Farke go full strength. He is set for a crucial Premier League survival run-in with seven matches remaining.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk