Everton's Jess Park called up to England squad in…

Everton's Jess Park called up to England squad in place of Chelsea star

Everton forward Jess Park has been called up to Sarina Wiegman's England squad in place of Cheslea star Fran Kirby.

The 21-year-old, who is on loan from Manchester City, has been a standout performer for the Blues this season and has featured in all six of their Women's Super League games. Her instant impact on Merseyside saw her earn her first senior international call up in September, just days after her goal helped Everton to an emphatic win against Liverpool in front of a record crowd at Anfield.

Park joined up with England ahead of their October clashes with the USA and the Czech Republic, however the attacker remained an unused substitute in both games. Earlier this week, Wiegman announced her 25-player squad for the Lionesses' upcoming fixtures against Japan and Norway, but Park was initially omitted from the squad, with Manchester United' s Maya Le Tissier and Brighton forward Katie Robinson instead handed their first call-ups.

However, Park has been called in to replace Kirby, who will remain at her club while she recovers from a viral infection. The Everton attacker will travel to Spain next week for England's fixtures at Murcia's Pinatar Arena football centre

Questioned about Wiegman's original decision to leave Park out of the squad, Everton boss Brian Sorensen said: “(Jess) of course would like to be in there but I think Sarina said she did really well and they’re really looking after her. But I also think, for them the World Cup is nine months away, and they need to see different players so I understand their decision.

"Jess just needs to focus on doing her job here, day in day out, and improve the areas she needs to improve, and what she does really well, still bring that.”

Park had been poised to join up with England Women's Under-23s, after former Everton boss Mo Marley named the 21-year-old in her 24-player squad. The Under-23s will take on two European heavyweights this month, welcoming the Netherlands to Walsall on November 10 before travelling to the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome where they will face Italy on November 14.

Park received her first senior England call up in September (PA)

Fellow Everton stars, striker Aggie-Beever Jones (on loan from Chelsea) and goalkeeper Emily Ramsey (on loan from Manchester United), are set to star in Marley's squad.

Liverpool's Missy Bo Kearns and Charlotte Wardlaw have also been given the nod for the upcoming clashes. Kearns has featured in all five of the Reds' WSL games this term, netting her first goal of the season in last week's Conti Cup clash with Leicester. Defender Wardlaw is enjoying her second season on loan at Prenton Park from Chelsea and made her Under-23s debut against Sweden last month.

Ahead of the international break, Everton will take on Tottenham in the WSL on Sunday. Reflecting on the game against Spurs, Sorensen told the ECHO : "We know its a good team. They've been together a while now. They obviously had some new recruits this summer but they look like a team that will train and work hard.

"We played them in pre-season with four or five youth players and that was a tough game but I think we’ve come a further way now and I think we can match them, but we know its going to be a tough game.”

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