Sinclair Armstrong has international impact – can QPR striker continue hot streak against Sunderland?
QPR resume their Championship campaign tomorrow against Sunderland at Loftus Road.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side picked up a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough before the international break with goals from Andre Dozzell and Jack Colback the difference.
Sunderland were big winners last time out, beating early pacesetters Southampton 5-0 at St Mary’s.
R’s striker Sinclair Armstrong made his senior Republic of Ireland debut, coming on in the 87th minute in their 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifying group stage defeat at home to the Netherlands.
He then scored for their U21s on Tuesday evening and assisted Rocco Vata as they won 3-0 against San Marino.
Armstrong has featured in every Championship outing under Ainsworth this season and scored his first goal for the west Londoners in their 2-1 win at Cardiff.
“It’s mixed emotions really – as it is in the changing room. I just hope for many more moments like this to come,” said the 20-year-old QPR striker after his Ireland debut.
“I don’t think that saying it’s a ‘good day’ is the perfect way to describe it. It was a wonderful night for myself and my family.
“If you told me in January this year from where I was with QPR – with the season I had last season to now – that I would be making my debut for Ireland, I would have said you’re on substances.
“Listen, it is what it is, a wonderful night for myself and my family, my close friends, and my loved ones. This is the only motivation for myself to go back to QPR and kick on.
“I have two goals and two assists in my first starts with QPR and I set myself a standard – that is not good enough.
“I’m going to go back and train hard and so as much as I can to get the goals and more assists. Hopefully I will have a strong finish to the year with QPR.”
PICTURE: ROB AVIS