GUISELEY teenager Reiss McNally could be getting a game for England later this month, and as someone who knows him better than most, his manager Marcus Bignot believes it would be richly deserved.

McNally, at just 19, has been at the heart of the Lions defence all season, making 32 appearances in his side's Vanarama National League North play-off push.

His fine defending has been noticed by England C manager Paul Fairclough and he has been named on the standby list for the team's game against Wales C at at Caernarfon Town on March 24.

He is one of four National League North players on that list, and he will be hoping to get the nod for the final 16-man squad alongside the likes of Calverley's William Smith, who plays for Harrogate Town.

Bignot is not surprised by McNally's international recognition, saying: "I work with Reiss daily as he goes to my academy at Solihull College too.

"He's got a level of consistency that a lot of players don't have at such a young age and has come straight into the National League North and shown those levels on a regular basis.

"That's a massive trait and is one of the biggest for pros to have, and Reiss has that aspiration and ambition to become a professional footballer.

"The England C recognition only supports what the staff and supporters see from him week in, week out at Guiseley."

The news only adds to the good feeling at Guiseley, who followed up a 3-0 home win on Saturday over Leamington in the league with a 2-1 West Riding County Cup semi-final victory against Harrogate Town.

Bignot said: "It just helps us with our momentum and gives us a boost of confidence.

"Our home form's been indifferent and away we've been excellent, so Saturday was good for us as a club to win well in front of our fans.

"The Harrogate win puts us in another County Cup final, that's two years on the spin, so it was a really productive weekend."

Jamie Spencer scored against Leamington and Harrogate, and discussing the former Bradford (Park Avenue) midfielder, Bignot said: "His technical ability is right up there with the best in this league.

"He's been out injured for a long while so we've had to ease him back in. We hope he'll be an important player for us in the run in (Guiseley are only five points off the play-offs).

"We're certainly happy we've got him back at just the right time."

Spencer came on as a substitute for Guiseley against Leamington, so will be pushing for a start in this weekend's away game at league favourites King's Lynn Town.

Bignot dismissed any suggestion that the second-placed side would be vulnerable after their shock 1-0 defeat to rock-bottom Avenue on Tuesday, saying: "You have to take each game on its own merit.

"King's Lynn are up there for a reason and we can't be naive to just look at their last performance, as football can change so quickly. We'll be encouraged by a key result (a 3-0 win) against them earlier in the season and have learnt lessons from that.

"It's a big challenge for us and and we'll be looking to get back to back (league) wins, which is no mean feat."