Jamie Carragher makes Dominic Calvert-Lewin England claim about Leeds United star

The form of summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin has provided one of the highlights of a season of continuous improvement from Leeds United.

The Whites saw off competition from home and abroad to land the striker following his departure from Premier League rivals Everton and fears over his injury record have been allayed as Calvert-Lewin has produced the sort of form that helped him earn 11 senior England caps during his time with the Toffees.

After scoring his first Leeds goal in a 3-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Calvert-Lewin failed to find the net in his next seven appearances - but a goal in a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City triggered a fine run of form consisting of eight goals in ten games ahead of Monday night’s visit to his old club. The 28-year-old came close to adding to his tally when he struck the woodwork during the 1-1 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after getting on the end of a cross from Jayden Bogle.

Calvert-Lewin’s form during the opening months of his time at Elland Road has sparked talk of a possible return to the England squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup finals. With Harry Kane firmly established as Thomas Tuchel’s first choice number nine, much of the pre-tournament talk has surrounded which player will provide backup for the Bayern Munich man. Former England international Jamie Carragher delivered his take on who should make the cut and insisted Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins should edge out Calvert-Lewin as he provides more ‘reliability’.

Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool defender: “I think Calvert-Lewin is in fantastic form, but Ollie Watkins is playing for one of the top teams in the country. He did really well for England in the last tournament, also.

“I don’t think there’s too much to choose from between the two players if I’m being totally honest, but yes, he’s kept himself fit for Leeds brilliantly. But he’s also got that little thing where you’re not quite sure fitness-wise maybe as much as Watkins, so maybe that reliability a little bit, I’ll just go for Watkins.”

What has Dominic Calvert-Lewin said about a possible England call-up?

Speaking in the aftermath a draw at Brentford last month, the Whites striker told Sky Sports: “It’s always the goal, to play for your country and represent them at a World Cup. But for me, my job is to do as best as possible for Leeds United. That's what I came here to do, score goals at club level and just play my best football. The rest takes care of itself doesn’t it?”

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