Dominic Calvert-Lewin provides Leeds United injury update ahead of Crystal Palace
The Leeds United striker missed Sunday’s FA Cup win over Norwich with a knee issue.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has revealed he will be back in training and ‘ready to go’ this week after missing Sunday’s FA Cup win over Norwich.
Calvert-Lewin was left out of the squad entirely as Leeds cruised to a 3-0 fifth-round victory over the Canaries, with Daniel Farke rotating heavily. Centre-back Joe Rodon was also given the day off having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury.
Speaking after the win, Farke - who watched from the stands while serving a touchline ban - revealed his top-scorer had a minor issue. The Whites boss said: "Dominic had slight problems with his knee the last days. He didn't feel ready also to be involved."
While Calvert-Lewin was always likely to be rested for the FA Cup clash, suggestions of a knee injury sparked some concern. But ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, the striker allayed fears of a longer-term issue.
“Everything’s good”, Calvert-Lewin said on CBS Sports. “It was always the plan for me to take a little break of a few days after the double gameweek that we’ve just had in the Premier League. So yeah, everything’s going to plan, back in training tomorrow and ready to go.”
With Calvert-Lewin seemingly now fit for Sunday, he looks set to continue a quite incredible debut campaign with Leeds. The 28-year-old arrived as a free agent with a history of fitness issues but since coming off the bench against Newcastle in August has only missed one league game through illness and none because of injury.
That extended period of availability has given Calvert-Lewin a platform to rediscover his scoring form, with 10 Premier League goals to his name so far including a brilliant run of seven in six matches over winter. The former Everton man has nine more games to build on that tally.
Asked what the key has been to his encouraging first campaign at Elland Road, Calvert-Lewin said: “Just consistency. I’ve been at this for a while and it’s inevitable that sometimes you hit difficult periods and good periods.
“I think just staying consistent and continuing to believe in what I'm capable of. I pay a lot of attention to things around the pitch like diet, sleep, recovery more so now than ever which I think has helped me a lot this season.”