Latvian on overturned ban
Kaspars Gorkss has expressed his relief at being available for selection for this Saturday's game with Blackburn Rovers.
The Latvian international saw his red card for a challenge on QPR's Junior Hoilett rescinded earlier this week, saving him from the possibility of a distinctly harsh four game ban.
"I'm very happy, I’ve been smiling for the last two days!" said Gorkss. "I was gutted when I saw the red card – I was 100% sure it wasn’t a red but not 100% sure it would get cancelled. I think the most frustrating thing was that the Middlesbrough sending off earlier in the season was very harsh too and meant I would get four or five games, as it was my second. I would've been absolutely gutted. As a player you don’t want to be out at crucial stages of the season. For the tackle itself, I had that split second to make a decision whether to go for it or to drop off, I made the decision to go for the tackle. I thought it was a good enough tackle to not get sent off. Thankfully it didn’t affect the result of the game."
Gary Bowyer's Rovers bring with them a talented squad of players, including prolific frontman Jordan Rhodes, though whilst acknowledging their strengths - Kaspars was keen to praise the form of the Royals' own leading men.
The Latvian international saw his red card for a challenge on QPR's Junior Hoilett rescinded earlier this week, saving him from the possibility of a distinctly harsh four game ban.
"I'm very happy, I’ve been smiling for the last two days!" said Gorkss. "I was gutted when I saw the red card – I was 100% sure it wasn’t a red but not 100% sure it would get cancelled. I think the most frustrating thing was that the Middlesbrough sending off earlier in the season was very harsh too and meant I would get four or five games, as it was my second. I would've been absolutely gutted. As a player you don’t want to be out at crucial stages of the season. For the tackle itself, I had that split second to make a decision whether to go for it or to drop off, I made the decision to go for the tackle. I thought it was a good enough tackle to not get sent off. Thankfully it didn’t affect the result of the game."
Gary Bowyer's Rovers bring with them a talented squad of players, including prolific frontman Jordan Rhodes, though whilst acknowledging their strengths - Kaspars was keen to praise the form of the Royals' own leading men.
"He (Rhodes) is like Alfie, a natural goalscorer – which is always frustrating to play against because you can have him in your pocket for most of the game then he’ll pop up at the back stick and score a goal. But I think we are in good form, our key players are playing really well and in top form. Jordan is playing left back like he’s been a left back all his life – Garath is unplayable at times. We just need to go out there, perform and aim to seal that place in the playoffs, we have a couple of teams on our back."