Denniss Cirkins will remain with the Latvia national team for Friday’s UEFA Nations League match against Montenegro after Queens Park Rangers gave the defender the green light to extend his stay beyond the opening two matches of the international window.
The 24-year-old, who currently plays for QPR, had initially been expected to feature only against Armenia and Cyprus as part of an agreement between his club and the Latvian Football Federation designed to carefully manage his workload. Cirkins entered the international window short of regular match minutes and had also received a red card in his most recent appearance for QPR, which opened up the possibility to play more than two games.
Cirkins made his long-awaited Latvia debut in the 0-2 defeat against Armenia in Yerevan before completing another 90 minutes in Monday’s goalless draw with Cyprus at Skonto Stadium. Under the original agreement, the Cyprus match was expected to be his final appearance of the window, but the Latvian Football Federation has now announced that permission has been received for him to remain with Paolo Nicolato’s squad for Friday’s meeting with Montenegro.
Nicolato had already suggested after the Cyprus match that discussions with QPR were progressing positively, although Latvia were still waiting for a final response from the Championship club at the time.
“We are talking with his club just to find maybe another game for him. I think we are waiting now for the answer,” Nicolato said when asked for an update on Cirkins situation. “I think we have a good chance to have him also in the next match. I hope to have him in the next match.”
With QPR now giving their approval, Cirkins will make his third Latvia appearance against Montenegro, with Friday’s fixture expected to be likely his final involvement of the international window.
Latvia enter the match still searching for their first Nations League goal and victory of the campaign, having followed their opening defeat in Armenia with a 0-0 draw against Cyprus. Montenegro, meanwhile, have made a perfect start with two victories from two, beating Cyprus at home before winning away against Armenia.
Friday’s match between Latvia and Montenegro at Skonto Stadium will kick off at 19:00.
