YORK City player of the year Neal Bishop will miss out on a fourth appearance for his country tomorrow because he has promised to take his girlfriend to Paris.

Bishop helped the England National Game XI to victory at last week's Four Nations Tournament, figuring in three victories against the Republic of Ireland (5-0), Scotland (3-0) and Wales (3-0).

He was also selected to face Finland tomorrow night but has had to pull out due to his prior engagement.

Bishop had arranged the romantic weekend before his shock call-up to the non-League international set-up and has put love ahead of the lure of his country.

Explaining his decision, Bishop said: "I was in the squad for Finland but I'm going away with my girlfriend to Paris. It's all been booked and it would not have been worth the grief if I had told her we couldn't go."

But Bishop will still meet up with his new international team-mates later in the year when they are presented to the Wembley crowd during the interval of an England Euro 2008 qualifier.

It will mark a proud moment for the midfielder but will not compensate for missing out on an opportunity to play at the newly-modernised home of English football following the Minstermen's play-off semi-final defeat to Morecambe.

He said: "We are being taken down to a midweek England match to be presented to the crowd with the trophy at half-time. That will come nowhere near making up for missing out on playing there for York but it's a consolation and a privilege."

Bishop started against the Irish and Welsh in his country's first and final games in the Scottish Highlands.

He also came on as a substitute against the hosts in the other match as the England side ran out comprehensive winners without conceding a goal and boasting a 100 per cent record.

Bishop also finished the tournament with four stitches to his head and added: "I took a few elbows against Wales but the whole experience was great, especially winning the tournament.

"I did well and everybody did well as we came away with the best record an England team has had. Getting a cap for the tournament and a winners' medal was also a great way to finish the season."