Manchester United star Jess Park has withdrawn from the Lionesses squad for international friendlies against Brazil and Australia due to a delayed concussion. The 24-year-old was ruled out of the Red Devils' Champions League win over Atletico before the international break and experienced some symptoms after joining the England camp. Jess Naz has been added to Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad in Park's place.
Lionesses issue Park update
A statement from the Lionesses read: "Jess Naz has been added to the England squad that will face Brazil in Manchester this Saturday and Australia in Derby next Tuesday. The Tottenham Hotspur forward, who has won six caps, last featured for the Lionesses as a substitute in February’s 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley. Naz comes in to replace Manchester United’s Jess Park, who has withdrawn from the squad after the midfielder sustained a delayed concussion following Manchester United’s last Barclays WSL fixture.
"Park reported to St. George’s Park on Monday as part of the 24-player squad to continue her graded return to play but has experienced some symptoms during this process and has returned to her club to continue her rehabilitation."
AdvertisementGetty Images/GOALPark starring for Man Utd after City move
Park swapped Manchester City for United on deadline day and has gone on to star for the Red Devils. She opened her account for her new club in a win over the London City Lionesses and then bagged a brace as United beat Everton 4-1 on October 12.
Manchester United boss Mark Skinner has been full of praise for Park and her flourishing relationship with Ella Toone. He told reporters: "I genuinely believe her and Tooney become alive and are electric together. We just have to be able to adapt and evolve it. In training, we've been working on Jess opening up her body and where she might receive the ball and different ways to finish. They both [scored lots in training]. In the number 10 role you usually have one touch to set the ball, then a second to hit it. It was working on that speed and both were excellent."
Skinner had also backed Park to shine for the Lionesses in the upcoming international break: "If Sarina feels she needs tight areas unlocking, then there is no better than Jess or Tooney right now to do that. If you need better ball control in tighter areas, you can't get two better than them."
Opportunity knocks for Naz
Park's withdrawal has opened the door for Tottenham's Naz to link up with the squad for the two matches. The 25-year-old received her first call-up to the Lionesses squad in May 2024 and will be hoping to add to her tally of seven caps after linking up with Sarina Wiegman's squad again. Naz has been an ever present for Tottenham so far this season in the Women's Super League and League Cup.
Wiegman discusses squad selection
Wiegman has spoken about her squad selection for the two friendly matches after being forced to shuffle her pack and handing a first senior call-up to 19-year-old Katie Hinds. She told reporters: "Of course it's nice to do. They were surprised. Some were quieter than others. They didn't expect it that much so it is really nice to give that message. I hope they just go out there and play football and show what they're about.
"You're always thinking a little bit further ahead. The next goal is qualifying for the World Cup and then going to the World Cup. There are 10 camps before the World Cup, although let's not forget to qualify first.
"These next two windows there are friendlies. There is a chance to try many players and hopefully if you do really well and you win the group there will be opportunities to play more friendlies. We want to get as many opportunities to see many players, but also keep winning games.
"We are also watching other countries too, what are the trends, what are the styles of plays. But also what do we want to work on."
