Kuqi Chooses Club Over Country To Help Swans

Shefki Kuqi asked to be left out of the Finland squad for a friendly match against Malta to concentrate on helping the Swans during their schedule in March.

The striker won't be on international duty next month now which means he'll be available for a busy March - which sees us play 7 games.

Kuqi has made an excellent impression so far, scoring 2 goals including 1 last week to give us a 1-0 victory at Derby County.

He said: 'I spoke with the coach in Finland (Stuart Baxter) and he understood my situation,' said the much-travelled striker.

'We have seven games in March so it is a very busy time for us.

'There is going to be a lot of travelling involved and, as the game in Malta was only a friendly, I asked if I could be left out of the squad.

'To be fair he was happy for me to stay behind and I am grateful for that.'

Manager Paulo Sousa said he was pleased that Kuqi will be available:

'I am grateful to Shefki for staying with us because we can now prepare with him,'

'It's an important decision for us, especially with so many games in March.

'And it's very important that Finland made a compromise in this situation. I am also grateful to them.'

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