Nikita Parris' England chance was only a matter of time, says Natasha Jonas

Manchester City Women's striker Nikita Parris was destined to play for England, according to big sister and Team GB Olympic heroine Natasha Jonas.

Former Everton Ladies striker Parris impressed after making her full international debut earlier this year, ending the competitive season with three goals in England's last three Euro 2017 qualifiers.

"She was destined to play for England and I always felt it was only a matter of time," Jonas told Sky Sports.

"She's absolutely smashed every game that she's played in and she's transferred what she has done for City onto the international stage.

"That's not always easy and I think the fact that she is surrounded by so many of her team-mates at club level has helped her because they know and understand how she plays.

"She plays with her heart on her sleeve and I know she will keep trying to put her best performances in to stay in that team [ahead of next summer's Euros]."

Jonas was a talented footballer herself, earning a scholarship to play in America as a teenager, before a knee injury ended her football career prematurely.

She turned her hand to boxing upon returning to England and went on to win a world bronze medal before making history at London 2012 as Team GB's first female Olympic boxer.

"It could have been oh so different. It could have been both of us in an England shirt," Jonas said.

"When that injury ended my career, naturally, I was very disappointed but as that door shut another one opened and I took my opportunity.

"I ended up going to the Olympics from it after all was said and done so it didn't turn out too badly."

Jonas announced her retirement from boxing in April last year after falling pregnant. She gave birth to baby Mela in December and the 32-year-old says she is enjoying every minute of motherhood.

"She's 11 months old now so I'm just planning her first birthday now," she said.

"Being a mum is a different experience for me but the most enjoyable one of my life so far. Mela's just started to crawl and she loves getting down on the floor and getting into mischief everywhere but she's still probably a bit too young to put on the boxing gloves just yet!"