Jess Park called up to England squad in place of Fran Kirby

Everton winger Jess Park has been called up to the England squad for November’s international break in place of Fran Kirby, who will remain with Chelsea to recover from a viral infection.

Kirby was limited to a single substitute appearance for the Blues during October due to illness.

Park received her maiden senior call up for the Lionesses’ October international camp following an impressive start to the season with Everton, but did not feature against the USA or Czech Republic and was initially not selected by Sarina Wiegman for her November squad.

Brighton youngster Katie Robinson had been called up instead of Park, who was initially selected for the England Under-23 squad.

Park joined Everton on loan from Manchester City in the summer – a transfer that saw Sandy MacIver move permanently in the opposite direction. The 21-year-old has featured six times for the Toffees in the WSL this season, chipping in with a goal and an assist, and lighting up September’s Merseyside derby as Everton ran out 3-0 winners over Liverpool at Anfield.

England face Japan on Friday 11 November at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, before taking on Norway on Tuesday 14 November at the same venue. The two fixtures are the Lionesses final matches of 2022.

Sarina Wiegman has named a 25-player squad for the two games, with the uncapped Robinson and Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier both receiving their maiden senior call ups.