Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin may have a chance at making England’s World Cup squad if he can stay fit on his return from injury.
That is according to journalist Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest news from Goodison Park.
According to the Daily Mail, Calvert-Lewin has suffered a set-back in his return from a knee injury suffered in pre-season, and is now likely to miss this weekend’s game with Southampton.
The 25-year-old striker, who has previously been dubbed a “special player” by Davide Ancelotti, has not played a minute in any competition for Frank Lampard’s side this season, having suffered with a number of injury issues over the past year.
But Jones believes that if Calvert-Lewin can stay fit when he eventually returns to full fitness, he may have a slight chance of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup in November.
“If he can stay fit, it’ll obviously be great for Everton for this run, then on the back of the World Cup, but it might even give him a chance to make that World Cup squad at a time when England are crying out for goals.
“So, it seems unlikely at this moment, but if he can show his fitness very early and start building his confidence up, who knows?”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments
Whilst we agree with Jones and believe that there’s every chance that Calvert-Lewin could go to the World Cup as back up to Harry Kane if fit, we can’t envisage a situation where Southgate deems him fit enough to travel to Qatar.
This set-back delays his return by at least a week, which could be vital so close to the beginning of the tournament in mid-November.
Therefore, we think that it’s extremely unlikely at this point that Calvert-Lewin is both fit and selected for the World Cup this winter.