JESS PARK aims to heed Sarina Wiegman’s advice and keep up her “hard work and consistency” on the pitch.
And the England forward, 22, hopes to replicate the stunning form that boosted Manchester City’s charge to the top of the Women’s Super League.
The Lionesses’ Friday night Euros qualifier clash with Sweden at Wembley could see Park in international action.
The game comes just under two weeks after her standout shift in the WSL Manchester derby.
Park’s two goals and a classy assist for Man City striker Khadija Shaw earned the playmaker plaudits from pundits and match observers.
Amongst the Etihad crowd watching the player and City and Man United’s England aces, was Lionesses boss Wiegman.
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And the two-time Euros-winning head coach is encouraging the forward to keep the momentum going.
Park, who helped City beat Brighton 4-1 on Saturday with the team going top of the WSL, said: “Sarina just says keep up with the consistency, keep doing well and keep working hard and good things will come.
“I managed to show that in that game in particular.
“I’m working hard at club and waiting for the opportunity and when it comes, hopefully taking it.”
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Park’s stock has risen considerably since her goal-scoring cameo for England on her senior international debut in November 2022.
Following a call-up as a replacement for England heroine Fran Kirby, who was contending with a viral infection at the time, forward made a cameo appearance during a 4-0 trouncing of Japan.
Back then the Yorkshire-born WSL star, who was on loan at Everton, came on as an 89th minute substitute scoring a minute after her run out.
Seven-capped Lioness Park is one of six City stars included in England’s squad for their April Euros qualifier games against Sweden this week and the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.
Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly, Khiara Keating and Esme Morgan are the other City aces called up by Wiegman.
And the forward feels having club colleagues in the camp could help with the continuity of her performance.
She adds: “Me and Alex are quite close at club, so she helps me get involved here.
“Hempo and Esme and the City girls really do help me when I’m away here, but all the girls (at international camp) are genuinely lovely.
“They try and include me as much as possible. And I think that’s really important from them. And it’s really nice for me as well.
“The girls are incredible girls, and they (all) make you feel comfortable as soon as you come into the environment, off pitch (and) on pitch.”
Park’s progress this season follows a successful loan spell at Everton last term.
It’s a move she credits with helping her become more “confident and capable” to play for City.
The forward, who made 17 top-flight Toffees appearances helping Everton finish sixth, has since gone on to play in 14 WSL games for City this season. scoring three times.
When asked which aspects of the game have improved the most since her return to City from Everton, Park said: “I think my game awareness off the ball and my confidence on the ball.
“Going on loan last season really helped with that and being in and around squad has also helped, but I’d say they’re probably the main things.
“It’s feels at the moment I’ve been very patient.
“I went out on loan got some experience last year, came back and now finally getting an opportunity to show a bit more about me (as a player).”
One player who Park credits as helping to influence her career and growth is former England captain Steph Houghton.
Last month the veteran Man City centre-back, who made 121 Lionesses appearances, announced her plans to hang up her boots at the end of this season.
With her retirement the Durham-born English football heroine, 35, will end a trophy-laden playing career in which she won 16 domestic trophies including 3 WSL titles and five FA Cups.
Park said: “I remember watching the (London 2012) Olympics and seeing her score a free-kick and I idolised that.
“Being able to meet her, play with her and just actually get to know Steph as a person.
“She’s an absolutely incredible person. The stuff she does on the pitch is obvious to everyone and it’s incredible.
“But with the stuff away from the pitch and how she’s helped me and the advice she’s given me – she’s a top person.”
Only the top two teams from England’s Euros qualifiers group will claim automatic qualification for next year Women’s European Championship taking place in Switzerland.
The Lionesses, who won the Euros on home soil under Wiegman in 2022, will also France in addition to Sweden and Republic of Ireland in the battle to reach next year’s tournament.
And the teams who finish outside the top two places in their group will have to battle it out in play-offs for a place in the contest.
Park adds: “We all know it’s a difficult group.
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“There’s a range of teams and we are going to face different challenges with each and every one.
“I think, just focusing on us and making sure we’re prepared and we’re ready is very important
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
