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Riis had been called up for next week’s European Championship qualifying game against Romania.

However, new restrictions put in place over the weekend by the UK Government regarding travel to Denmark means North End have been able to pull him out of the squad.

The rule changes came about after reports of a mutant strain of coronavirus in mink being passed to humans in the Jutland region of Denmark.

Preston North End striker Emil Riis in action against Millwall at Deepdale

UK citizens and visa holders returning from a stay in Denmark have to quarantine for 14 days.

That includes elite athletes, who were previously exempt from similar travel restrictions.

Had Riis travelled home to Denmark, he would have missed a number of North End games on his return during the quarantine period.

Many other English-based Denmark players – both at senior and Under-21s levels – are affected.

Emil Riis scores his first goal for PNE in the win at Reading

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, FIFA gave permission for clubs to pull players out of international duty if there was a risk to health.

Denmark Under-21s’ visit to Romania is scheduled for next Tuesday – November 17 – and is the final group game in the qualifying stage.

The Danes have already qualified, with them top of the group by six points.

In the last international break, Riis featured as a sub twice for the Under-21s.

He will remain with the North End squad during the break, training at Euxton and getting a few days’ breather.

He has made a big impact since his £1.2m arrival from Randers FC at the start of October.

Riis scored his first PNE goal in the 3-0 win at Reading last Wednesday night.

PNE will have two players away on international duty, Alan Browne with the Republic of Ireland and Daniel Johnson with Jamaica.

Browne has joined-up with the Irish squad in London ahead of their friendly with England at Wembley on Thursday night – they are training at Barnet’s The Hive ground in the build-up.

They also travel to Cardiff to play Wales on Sunday before facing Bulgaria in Dublin next Wednesday, both of those being Nations League group matches.

Johnson has linked up with Jamaica’s squad for two friendlies against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

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Why Preston North End striker Emil Riis won't be on international duty with Denmark Under-21s