YORK City boss Billy McEwan says Neal Bishop's call up to the England National Game XI is "excellent" for the club.

But the Minstermen manager took a swipe at officials who have organised a second trip to Finland in June arguing that, if selected, Bishop will be forced to play a friendly game when he would ideally be resting after a hard season.

Said McEwan: "It's excellent for York City and I am pleased for Neal. He's worked very hard at his game this year. He has cut down on the bookings he had when he first came here.

"Everyone at the club is really chuffed for him and I am sure he will be the first to admit that he couldn't have got this reward without the help of his team mates.

"We are just hoping he goes there and enjoys the experience. It will extend the boy's season and, from my point of view, you would like the lad to rest but he's going to be away for a week in Scotland for a tournament and then there's a trip to Finland.

"I don't know if he is going to be in that one yet. It's on June 1 and it's absolutely crazy. They work hard enough all the way through the season - nine or ten months of graft, week in week out and to go and have a thing in summer is, for me, Mickey Mouse."

Four Nations 2007 fixtures

Tuesday, May 22: Scotland v Wales at Victoria Park (Ross County FC), 7.45pm; Republic of Ireland v England at Grant Street Park (Clachnacudddin FC), 7.45pm.

Friday, May 25: Wales v Republic of Ireland at Dudgeon Park (Brora Rangers FC); Scotland v England at Victoria Park, 8pm.

Sunday, May 27: England v Wales at Grant Street Park, 2pm; Scotland v Republic of Ireland at Victoria Park, 2pm.