Lucy Parker was delighted to join up with her England teammates this week ahead of a possible international debut for the UEFA 2022 Euro winners.
The central defender has been called up by Lionesses’ manager Sarina Wiegman for the second time this season, although it will be her first time at camp with the national side after she had to withdraw due to injury when first called up in October.
With England facing Brazil and Australia over the international break, Parker is excited about the possibility of winning her first international cap. That moment could come as early as Thursday evening.
“It's been a bit of a whirlwind,” Parker enthused, speaking ahead of England’s Finalissima fixture with Brazil on Thursday 6 April, “but it’s been really good, I’ve really enjoyed it.
“Walking out to training was quite fun, it felt like a long day yesterday not getting out on the grass, and obviously being a footballer that’s what you want to do. So, walking out at training and getting going and looking around at the calibre of player, being on the grass with them was a surreal moment.
“You get a bit nervous in the car driving up. Meeting everyone is also quite nerve-wracking. I think everything you do in your day-to-day life has led you to the moment you’re at.
“I think it’s going to be a crazy experience [to play at Wembley]. When I withdrew from the previous camp, I went to watch the game and it was crazy, even from the stands. So to be on the pitch on Thursday will be incredible.”
Of course, there was extra emotion behind training at St George's Park this week after Parker withdrew from the squad in October. An injury in a FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup match against London City Lionesses halted Parker’s involvement in friendlies against USA and Czech Republic, with the 24-year-old working her way back to fitness to star for Club and now hopefully country.
🗣️ "I think it's going to be a crazy experience"
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) April 4, 2023
West Ham defender Lucy Parker ahead of her international debut on Thursday for England 👀 pic.twitter.com/OvMSAmgbQ0
“It was a hard time to wrap my head around what had happened,” Parker stated. "Probably to date it was mentally one of the toughest things I’ve experienced because playing for England has always been the end goal for me, any young footballer growing up, they want to play for England.
“There’s always that stress of will my chance come again? But I had spoken to Serena upon leaving the camp and she said just focus on getting yourself back fit and we’ll take another look.”
Following on from the match at Wembley Stadium, Weigman’s side will face Australia at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium on Tuesday 11 April, which could see Parker face off against her Club teammate Mackenzie Arnold.
On the prospect of coming up against her teammate, Parker stated: “She’s obviously a fantastic goalkeeper and the way she performs every week speaks for itself, if we get to face each other on Tuesday that will be quite cool.”
Thursday's Finalissima will be broadcast live by ITV1 and ITVX, while next Tuesday's game will be screened live by ITV4 and ITVX.
