Derby County and Portsmouth blow as QPR welcome double injury boost ahead of Championship clashes

Derby County and Portsmouth will have to contend with the return of the influential Ilias Chair for QPR in upcoming Championship clashes after the London outfit welcomed the star back against Hull City on Tuesday night.

Chair was afforded just a few minutes towards the end of the 3-1 home defeat to the Tigers but looked his old self in a busybody cameo under the lights at Loftus Road.

The winger's return to fitness is a huge boost for Marti Cifuentes. The Moroccan played a vital role in QPR's relegation dogfight last season, finishing as the top scorer and player with the most assists in the Championship for the side - seven goals and eight assists.

Ilias Chair recovers from back injury

Chair had been involved in early pre-season preparations but was absent from friendlies against Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Reading before the Championship campaign kicked off. Speaking on that injury at the end of August, Cifuentes said: “Perhaps we thought it could be less aggressive, but unfortunately it’s a lower back issue that will keep him away for some more weeks.

“I said we were waiting for some tests – and unfortunately the tests showed the development is more or less as we expected. I’m always optimistic and thought it might be a faster process, but the reality is that it’s a bone bruise and it takes time.”

QPR also handed defensive boost

The return of Chair came as a double boost for QPR, with Morgan Fox also named among the substitutes against Hull City for the first time this season. The former Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City man only played a bit part last term with 20 Championship appearances but returns to fitness at a time when the R's are struggling for options at the back.

Jake Clarke-Salter, who put pen to paper on a new contract with QPR this week, missed out once again at Hull City. Summer signing Liam Morrison is also a longer-term lay off and won't return until November.

Writing in his matchday programme notes ahead of the action on Tuesday, Cifuentes said: “Today we have great news with the comeback of two important players to the squad - Morgan Fox and Ilias Chair. I am excited to get them back and I’m sure they will help us massively through the season.”

QPR travel to Derby County this weekend before returning to West London to welcome Portsmouth to Loftus Road after the international break. Both those fixtures see the London outfit pitted against sides which achieved promotion from League One last season.