FORMER York City youngster Jess Park is ‘feeling amazing’ after receiving the call-up for England’s upcoming EURO qualifiers.

Park will have the opportunity to add to her seven caps alongside former York student Rachel Daly, with the Lionesses set to welcome World Cup semi-finalists Sweden to Wembley Stadium on Friday, April 5 (8pm) before facing the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, April 9 (7.45pm).

The 22-year-old initially began her footballing career with York, having earned the move to Women’s Super League giants Manchester City in 2017.

Park has gone on to lift the Emirates Women’s FA Cup and the League Cup on two occasions with the Sky Blues, becoming an integral player under the tutelage of Gareth Taylor.

But after a profitable loan spell with Everton last season, Park admitted that the decision to head out on loan was one she found difficult, and feels she has benefitted from the experience as she continues to improve in the WSL.

“It feels amazing at the moment. I’ve been very patient, I went out on loan and got some experience last year, and I have been able to come back and finally get an opportunity to show a bit about me.

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“[Going on loan] was such a big decision to make. Obviously, I want to play at City, I want to be playing every minute.

“But there are reasons why sometimes that doesn’t happen, I faced all the teams in the WSL at Everton so I feel more than ready and capable.

“My game awareness off the ball [has improved] as well my confidence on the ball.

“I definitely feel more confident on and off the pitch. I feel like if I have a point to make then I do want to [say] it because everyone’s point is valued.

“I don’t feel that I could ever feel like it’s normal [being here] because being called up is such an honour. It’s always been my dream so every time I see that I’ve been called up, it’s amazing.”

Emma Coates, the England Under-23 head coach, also went on to credit Park for her endeavour, reminiscing on the time she watched the 22-year-old play in York: “I remember watching Jess play, she played for York Centre of Excellence and I was at Leeds Centre of Excellence and every time we played them they’d go 3‑0 up because Jess played.

"They’d bring her off and go 3‑3, they put her back on and it would finish 5-3.

“You could see her talent from such a young age.”