Leicester City v QPR team news with 2 doubts and 8 outs as R's eye giant-killing

The chance to pull off a Premier League giant killing comes at a pretty good time for QPR with the London outfit in a rich vein of form.

A 2-1 victory over Luton Town on Monday night made it just one defeat in 11 outings for the R's with Marti Cifuentes overseeing an impressive turnaround in form since a disappointing start to the Championship season.

A trip to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City will be a true test of just how far QPR have progressed, but it's a battle the Catalan coach is relishing. He said this week: “I want to progress in the cup, I know how important the competition is to the club and in this country."

Here's your team news ahead of Leicester City vs QPR.

Leicester City team news

Leicester City could welcome back winger Kasey McAteer against QPR, which is a boost for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The 23-year-old has missed the past four fixtures having started the first three of the manager's reign.

Defender Janik Vestergaard is a doubt for the FA Cup tie having been replaced in the defeat to Aston Villa. There's no return date for Mads Hermansen either as he deals with a groin injury.

Wilfred Ndidi is back in training following a hamstring problem but is not in full squad work. The midfielder could be out for another two weeks. Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are longer term absentees.

Van Nistelrooy said: “On Mads, there’s no update. He’ll be out for a bit longer. He’s still in that process. That won’t change over the coming weeks. Jannik has been assessed and he’s made his steps after he had to come off. We’re looking to get him on the pitch today or tomorrow and get him ready for QPR, but it’s doubtful.

“There’s no new injuries. Kasey McAteer is back in full team training and if he can continue that today and tomorrow, he could be available for the game. (Ndidi) is continuing his individual training. He’s not yet with the team. He’s pushing harder on an individual basis. Hopefully we can welcome him to team training in the coming weeks but it’s not a matter that he will be part of it in the coming games.”

Doubt - Kasey McAteer, Janik Vestergaard. Out - Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu.

QPR team news

QPR continue to be without captain Steve Cook, whose presence will be felt doubly against Premier League opposition in Leicester City. The centre-back limped off against Preston North End on Monday evening and is sidelined.

The R's are also without striker Zan Celar, who is nursing a hamstring injury sustained against Norwich City at the start of December. Liam Morrision is another centre-back who is on the treatment table, which has seen Jimmy Dunne shift back into the middle in recent weeks, with winger Kader Dembele also a long term lay-off.

Marti Cifuentes has teased squad changes for the FA Cup game but is determined to field a strong side capable of challenging the Foxes. He told the club website this week: “We will take the right steps to be competitive to win as many games as possible. I will speak to my players, listen to them and how they feel. You saw last season how important the whole squad is to me but also the importance of carrying momentum, so we will need to find the right balance between freshness and carrying on our positive form.”

Out - Steve Cook, Zan Celar, Liam Morrison, Kader Dembele.