QPR boost as Coventry City handed double injury blow

QPR continue to look for their first win of the season following defeat to Watford on Saturday but could be handed an advantage ahead of this weekend’s visit to Coventry City amid injury concerns in the midlands.

Julien Stephan’s side conceded two goals in the opening 23 minutes at Vicarage Road and couldn’t overturn that deficit despite a blistering Kieran Morgan strike at the end of the first half. The R’s have just one point from their opening two outings, thanks to a draw with Preston North End, and sit 18th in the table.

Next up is a testing trip to Coventry City, who are unbeaten so far this season. Frank Lampard’s men drew 0-0 with Hull City on the opening weekend before a midweek Carabao Cup triumph over Luton Town and then a 3-2 victory over Derby County on Saturday.

Coventry City handed double injury concern

However, in that win at Pride Park, Coventry City were handed fresh injury blows to two key players in Matt Grimes and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. The latter failed to make the squad while the former hobbled off following the final whistle.

When asked about the absence of Sakamoto after the match, Lampard said: “He picked up a small groin (strain) on Thursday. So he felt some awareness and we’re hoping he’ll be back before the international break, but possibly the other side."

The 28-year-old only missed two Championship matches last season and is a vital part of Lampard’s tactics. His continued absence could be a blow when facing QPR while it remains to be seen how serious the problem picked up by Grimes is.

Frank Lampard provides Matt Grimes update

Lampard said: “A gash on his shin; it was a wound. Grimesy is a fantastic footballer but today we had men running into our back four, being in front of Carlton Morris trying to head it in battle and get the next one because that’s what Derby create as a game, and I thought Grimesy did it brilliantly and he took a war wound from it.

"I’ve seen the gash, whether it needs stitches or not I don’t know but Grimesy is a player that doesn’t really go down or stay down. It’s obviously an injury, but a gash and hopefully we’ve got a bit of time with that to recover through the week."

QPR have their own injury concerns at the moment and continue to be without Kwame Poku, Michael Frey and Jake Clarke-Salter. It’s hoped that Jimmy Dunne will return to face Coventry City next weekend.

In other news, QPR tipped to beat Watford and Derby County to sign ex Premier League midfielder.