The scar that reminds ex-Sheffield United man Dominic Calvert-Lewin that playing for England is nothing to fear

As a youngster at Sheffield United, the striker was sent out on loan to Stalybridge Celtic and was clattered inside 20 minutes of his debut, playing the rest of the game with one eye after the other closed up.

"That experience at the time - it was the most I'd ever enjoyed my football up to that point," he admitted, ahead of a possible first cap this international break against Wales, Belgium or Denmark.

"It was thoroughly enjoyable and it just gave me that sense of what it was to play in front of fans and to play proper men's football and play for three points.

"At 17 it was definitely what I needed, and definitely a catalyst in propelling me forward and helping me get here.

"I think sometimes when you go through the academy and then you're a scholar, everything's quite nice and easy and then you realise that players are playing to put food on the table, they are playing for three points and it means that much more.

"It's an eye-opener at a young age and I'm glad I had that experience, because now I don't take it for granted and it was a humbling experience as well, but definitely part and parcel of men's football."

On his call-up, the Everton man - who has scored nine goals in six games so far, including two hat-tricks this season - admitted: "I've not played my first game yet but I'm just looking forward to it and am excited just to get on the pitch.

"I'm sure that the Premier League is the best league in the world, I'm playing there consistently well at the moment so I've got no fears in playing for England.

"It's a kid's dream to play for the country and I'm very privileged to be here now.

"I don't think you can ever plan how you're going to feel when you first get called up for your country and for me I've thought about it for a long time and I've worked extremely hard to get here.

"I was obviously concentrating on playing for Everton and winning games. As the time nears you hope you might be in the manager's thoughts to be called up to your country.

"For me to be here, it's something that I have thought long and hard about and dreamed of for a long time."

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