Winger Bersant Celina was absent from the Kosovo U21s squad which drew 0-0 away against Azerbaijan in a European Championships qualifier this afternoon as part of an agreement made with Town, according to the Football Federation of Kosovo, while midfielder Flynn Downes was an unused sub as England’s U19s beat hosts Bulgaria 1-0 to top their European Championships mini-group.
Celina has been with the Kosovo U21s during this international break - he has tweeted that he was suspended from the senior squad - and played the full 90 minutes in Thursday’s 4-0 home defeat to Israel.
The 21-year-old, who is on loan with the Blues from Manchester City, subsequently left the squad with the FFK dismissing speculation in the Kosovo media that he had walked out.
According to a statement on their website, his departure was pre-arranged as Celina is required by Town as they aim to push on up the Championship table: "The Football Federation of Kosovo rejects the speculation [from some sources] that Bersant Celina has abandoned the U21s.
"In this case, it is reported that the agreement with Bersant Celina and his club Ipswich Town has been that he only plays one match with U21s and then returns to England.”
Downes started the first two games for the England U19s, who had already sealed their place in the next stage of qualifying prior to today’s match. The 18-year-old has now won three U19s caps.