Dominic Calvert-Lewin handed just seven minutes for England as Leeds striker awaits final chance

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had to settle for just seven minutes of football during England’s opening three matches of the current international break, with Thomas Tuchel’s side having one final game to play before the Leeds United striker returns to West Yorkshire.

Calvert-Lewin was included in Tuchel’s latest England squad after making an impressive start to the campaign with Leeds, but opportunities at international level have been difficult to come by with Harry Kane continuing to lead the line.

The 29-year-old’s only appearance so far came during England’s 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley on September 26, when he replaced Kane in the 83rd minute.

He was subsequently an unused substitute against Czechia and remained on the bench for England’s emphatic 7-0 victory over Croatia on Saturday.

That leaves Calvert-Lewin with just seven minutes of international football during an extended window which has seen England play three of their four scheduled Nations League fixtures.

England’s final match of the break comes against Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday evening, giving the Leeds forward one final opportunity to add to his minutes and potentially make a stronger impression on Tuchel before the squad disperses.

The lack of playing time will inevitably be slightly frustrating for Calvert-Lewin, particularly given the form that earned him his place in the squad in the first place.

His start to life at Leeds has been one of the most encouraging aspects of Daniel Farke’s campaign, with the striker providing the Whites with a focal point in attack and demonstrating the form that prompted his England recall.

The competition for the central striker position, however, remains significant.

Kane started against Spain and Croatia, while England’s attacking options have continued to provide Tuchel with plenty of alternatives.

Kane scored twice in the 7-0 victory over Croatia, taking his international tally to 89 goals, making it difficult for anybody competing for his position to dislodge him from the starting XI.

Calvert-Lewin’s situation is therefore less about replacing Kane and more about establishing himself as the manager’s preferred alternative.

His brief appearance against Spain did at least give him an opportunity to experience Tuchel’s demands at senior international level, but the subsequent lack of minutes means he has had little opportunity to demonstrate what he can offer.

That could make Tuesday’s meeting with Czechia particularly important.

England have already beaten Czechia 2-0 in Prague during this international window before recording their huge victory over Croatia, while Tuesday’s fixture at Wembley represents their fourth and final game of the extended break.

With England’s place in the Nations League campaign already underway and a number of players having been rotated or withdrawn from the squad during the window, Calvert-Lewin will be hoping Tuchel gives him a more substantial opportunity this time around.

From Leeds’ perspective, there is also an obvious benefit to seeing their leading striker return home without having been subjected to a heavy workload during the international break.

The Whites have their next Premier League fixture against Arsenal on October 10, meaning Calvert-Lewin will soon turn his attention back towards club football and continuing the form that earned him his latest England opportunity in the first place.

For now, though, there is one more England fixture to come.

Calvert-Lewin has played just seven minutes across the first three games of this international window. Whether that remains his final tally will be decided at Wembley on Tuesday.