adminLeeds United’s in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to be named in the latest England squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures, TEAMtalk understands, while another Whites player is also reportedly in contention to join goalkeeper James Trafford in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
The Whites have made a strong start to the new campaign and currently occupy third place after an emphatic 4-1 victory over Newcastle at Elland Road on Monday night.
The result leaves Daniel Farke’s team with eight points from their opening four matches, sitting behind only Arsenal and Manchester City, while also backing up their early-season status as possible European contenders.
Several Leeds players have impressed during the opening weeks of the season, but it was Calvert-Lewin’s display at centre-forward which attracted the most attention.
After leading the attack superbly and causing Newcastle’s defenders plenty of problems, the striker had already scored twice before the interval – with the first goal later officially credited to him by the Premier League’s dubious goals committee after teammate Jayden Bogle was initially given the goal.
That brings the 29-year-old’s tally to three goals for the season – placing him joint-second behind Erling Haaland – and Jamie Carragher was so impressed that he questioned whether there is currently a more in-form English striker in the Premier League.
Consequently, speculation over Calvert-Lewin receiving an England recall has intensified considerably this week and, after making enquiries into the situation, TEAMtalk has been told that the 12-cap forward will return to the squad when Tuchel announces his selection on Friday for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia (home and away) and Croatia.
With Trafford also expected to make the squad, Leeds’ £40m summer arrival will be looking to add to his two England caps so far, although he faces competition from established No.1 Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson, whom Tuchel has preferred as his second-choice goalkeeper to date.
Alongside Calvert-Lewin, we have also questioned sources about Jayden Bogle’s prospects of receiving his first senior England call-up following some impressive performances this season, while the credentials of another Leeds player are also attracting attention…
James Justin could join DCL and Trafford in England squad
Speaking to a source, our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey says he has “heard whispers” that versatile Leeds defender James Justin is firmly in contention for a recall…
According to Bailey, England’s coaches “like Justin a lot”, with the defender’s versatility across the entire back line particularly appealing.
Justin has already featured for Leeds this season as an underlapping right-sided centre-back within a three-man defence, while he also filled in for the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson at left wing-back during the early part of the campaign.
Leeds also deployed him at right wing-back on occasions last season.
The 28-year-old has looked every bit a £10m bargain since completing his move from Leicester in August 2025, making 36 appearances to date and contributing four goals.
Justin has one England appearance to his name, earned back in June 2022 against Hungary, meaning a potential recall would bring an end to a spell of around 51 months since his only international outing.
As for Bogle, sources confirmed that he has been monitored, although they were less confident about his chances of receiving a call-up, especially now that Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, a player Tuchel likes, has returned to fitness.
Farke, meanwhile, has been promoting the claims of his Leeds players this week after suggesting to his compatriot Tuchel that he could do much worse than look towards Elland Road when looking to refresh his squad.
Beginning with Calvert-Lewin, Farke told a press conference: “He’s a handful and tough for every defender.
“He’s difficult to play against. He’s at a top fitness level. You can see he plays with confidence and a good rhythm, but also benefits from a really strong team and players who work for him.
“Dominic is a crucial player, and if he shows this type of form, he’s definitely one of the best strikers in this league. It’s the best league in the world and that more or less sums up what I think about him as a player.”
Asked about Calvert-Lewin’s England credentials, Farke was also quick to highlight the claims of some of his other players.
“Definitely realistic,” he said, before adding: “But there are a few other names on my mind with an English passport after a performance like this.
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