QPR boost as Blackburn Rovers see Premier League loan star banned from R's clash

QPR made it five games unbeaten in the Championship over the weekend with a hard-fought point against London rivals Millwall but Marti Cifuentes will hope to return to winning ways against Blackburn Rovers next time out.

The R's travel to Ewood Park on Saturday looking for their second win of the season, having recorded a first victory against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road at the end of August. QPR sit 14th in the Championship table at this early stage with this weekend's hosts fourth following three wins and three draws.

A visit to John Eustace's side is not an easy task given the club's current form but QPR will be buoyed by news that Blackburn Rovers saw a key loan star sent off in their clash against Preston North End at the weekend.

Owen Beck, who joined Rovers on loan from his parent Premier League club Liverpool towards the end of August, has spent previous seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers and Dundee as he emerged as a future star. The 22-year-old has made an immediate impact in the Championship, starting all of his side's last three league fixtures.

However, Blackburn Rovers will not be able to field Beck against QPR after he was involved in a late melee against Preston on Sunday. Beck swung a leg to try and clear the ball in the 87th minute, but clobbered Duane Holmes, which sparked a heated confrontation between the two sides and a red card for Beck.

As well as being without the full-back against QPR, Blackburn Rovers are also dealing with controversy from that Preston match. Preston North End man Milutin Osmajic is alleged to have bitten Beck on the neck during that late confrontation.

Osmajic saw yellow but The Mirror reports that the player is now set to face 'further action' from the FA this week. Speaking after the game, Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace admitted that Beck was left 'shaken up' by the incident and had a 'big bite mark' as a result.

He added: "I haven't really seen it, he went to clear the ball and possibly caught the lad. He's got a big bite mark on the back of his neck.

"It's a shame the referee didn't see that as well. He has been in and shown the lads. He's very disappointed to be sent off and you don't expect him to have that either. He's a bit quiet in there and a bit shaken up.

“I don't know if he spoke to the referee. I'm not sure if it was before or after the red. He might want to speak to the officials about it. It's a very serious incident, nobody likes to be bitten. Everyone is angry about it, it's not a nice situation to be in. I'm sure the right people will see it and deal with it.”

How the FA respond to the apparent biting incident remains to be seen but football fans will remember former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez being handed a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.