Calvert-Lewin’s England recall is testament to the striker’s self-belief and desire to emerge from the dark times of seasons when he struggled with injury.

When he spoke of renewed England ambitions after completing a free transfer from Everton to Leeds United in the summer, eyebrows were raised at both his optimism and whether Tuchel would ever seriously feel the need to call on him.

Now, Calvert-Lewin’s rejuvenation and continued fitness at Elland Road has prompted a return for the 29-year-old, who won 11 caps and made his last appearance in July 2021 when he played 17 minutes off the bench against Ukraine at the delayed Euros.

Calvert-Lewin deserves huge credit for his persistence – but his call-up also underscores a huge concern for England and Tuchel.

That worry is the massive drop-off in proven quality at international level should any misfortune befall England captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane.

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was long considered the deputy, scoring the winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, but his patchy club form means he is not even included in this squad.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke is the other striker, making his way back this season after several months on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Marcus Rashford could fill the role but is now used in the wider positions, while Anthony Gordon has played through the centre for Newcastle United without ever looking a neat fit.

This demonstrates the alternatives to Kane – aged 32 but still in magnificent form for Bayern Munich – are worryingly thin for Tuchel and England.

Calvert-Lewin’s inclusion is a heart-warming redemption tale, but Tuchel and England supporters must pray nothing happens to Kane, who has scored 78 goals in 112 appearances, or their World Cup hopes could be wrecked.

Tuchel’s decision to name this expanded squad, with rotation between the two friendlies, is a common-sense move designed to give him a longer look at his players in a camp setting.

Everton’s Garner is an eye-catching selection after the 25-year-old former Manchester United midfielder’s outstanding season so far.

A creator with an eye for goal, and also strong at set-pieces, Garner must be regarded as an outsider.

Tuchel, though, has been hugely impressed on several viewings and was seen locked in lengthy conversation with him after Everton’s win at Manchester United in November.

Brighton’s 35-year-old goalkeeper Jason Steele has not played in the Premier League this season, but appears to be auditioning for a different World Cup role, having been named “with the prospect of him joining the World Cup squad as a training goalkeeper during the summer”.

The call-up is his first at senior international level since he represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)