manager says cannot begin to think about his hopes with England until he has started producing for his club.
The striker has managed just 38 minutes of football this season after a knee injury on the eve of the campaign, having also been sidelined for much of last term.
Lampard has been holding back the 25-year-old in an attempt to ensure he reaches peak fitness but even after back-to-back substitute appearances the Toffees boss is still cautious.
With the World Cup a month away and places seemingly up for grabs to be ’s deputy, Calvert-Lewin needs a run of games to even put himself in consideration and Lampard wants him to start performing for Everton first.
‘It is human nature and a natural mentality for top-level players who want to play for their countries but the rule is you play well for your club to get there,’ he said ahead of tonight’s trip to Newcastle.
‘My feeling is, if he was fit and playing regularly he would be making a great case. Dominic is an England player, so can we get him fit and get him on the pitch for us first, hopefully see what he can deliver for us and then of course he gets himself into that question.’
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, and .Take two: The pre-season Premier League predictions badly in need of a rethink
