QPR and Millwall blows as opponents handed injury boosts as Leeds United reaffirm promotion goals
QPR and Millwall are both handed home fixtures in the latest round of midweek Championship action.
There's little time for preparation as the Championship returns with a round of midweek fixtures, but that won't be a bad thing for Marti Cifuentes and QPR.
For the first time this season, there are signs of momentum at Loftus Road and the R's welcome Oxford United in a six-pointer that comes just days after the impressive 3-0 win over Norwich City.
QPR feature alongside Millwall, who prepare to take on Sheffield United, and Leeds United in your Tuesday Championship round up.
Oxford United to welcome back defender against QPR
Oxford United will arrive at Loftus Road on Wednesday evening boosted by the return of full back Peter Kioso for the first time since the November international break. The right back fell ill during the November international break, when he made his debut for DR Congo.
Kioso only managed 45 minutes in that landmark occasion and has been recovering since, but will be in the squad that makes the short trip along the M4 to London this week. U's head coach Des Buckingham confirmed via the Oxford Mail: "It’s a debut I’m sure he won’t forget, but he’s now all good and all clear, and available for selection, and has trained fully for the last week. We just needed to monitor any potential reaction with him, but he’s been passed all clear, so he’s another that’s available.”
The defender signed for Oxford United from Rotherham United this summer and has made 15 appearances for his new club since. Kioso has been booked four times this season, so a yellow card at Loftus Road would see him suspended this weekend.
Sheffield United hope for injury boost ahead of Millwall
Sheffield United are hoping that striker Tyrese Campbell will be fit enough to face Millwall on Wednesday night, but the 24-year-old faces a race against the clock to return from a hamstring niggle.
Campbell scored his sixth goal in eight games against West Brom on Sunday but had to be replaced after feeling a muscle problem. The Blades boss Chris Wilder has provided an update on the problem ahead of the trip to Millwall.
As quoted in The Star, Wilder said: “It's tight, it's stiff, so he's a doubt. We'll give him as much time as possible to try and loosen it up, but it's a concern for us because he's been outstanding. So it'll be a big miss if he doesn't make it. But we've got time to loosen that up, and he'll be having plenty of work on that to get him hopefully ready for the game.
“These things happen, don't they? He's been complaining of a bit of issue with his back which obviously leads down into the hamstrings. He felt his hamstrings tighten up and he was having extensive work before and at half-time, so fingers crossed. On the plus side, we've got Kieffer and Rhian back involved.”
Leeds United reaffirm promotion ambitions
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto is determined that the side will learn from last season's disappointment to achieve promotion this term. The Whites currently sit in second place after 19 league outings, on the same number of points as this time a year ago.
The 2023/24 campaign ended in bitter disappointment as Daniel Farke's side missed out on promotion back to the Premier League and that is firmly the goal once again this term. Ahead of the make-or-break festive fixture period, Gnonto said: “It’s [promotion] the goal, of course. But we still have a long way to go and we’re not really thinking about it now. We were so close last year.
“But we are hoping for a different ending this season. I feel we’ve learned our lessons from how it ended last season. I just want to be at my best, stay as fit as I can, and score and assist as many goals as I can.”