QPR confirm key player will miss Burnley and Sunderland games as forward's season ends early

QPR have lost one of their regulars for the rest of the season following a suspension decision from the FA. The Hoops secured survival and Championship status for another season on Good Friday, producing a magical late comeback against Preston North End on Friday night.

Michael Frey equalised at Deepdale with 10 minutes remaining, and three minutes into stoppage time, Lucas Andersen scored a winner that would put Rangers out of reach for those in the relegation zone.

But on Sunday night, it emerged that Paul Smyth had been caught up in an incident during the game that the on-field referee missed. Unfortunately for the Rangers forward, the cameras were more eagle-eyed, and having got hold of the footage, the FA decided to charge him with violent conduct. The forward has pleaded guilty to the charge, triggering an automatic three-game suspension.

An FA statement confirmed: “Paul Smyth has been suspended for three matches following an incident in the EFL Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End on Friday, 18 April.

“The forward’s behaviour around the 56th minute wasn’t seen by the match officials at the time, but it was caught on camera, and The FA subsequently alleged that it constitutes violent conduct. Paul Smyth has admitted this charge and accepted the automatic three-match penalty.”

The suspension means Smyth will not miss the remaining three games of the season, against Swansea City, Burnley and Sunderland. It will be a disappointing end to the campaign for the forward, but QPR will be that much more comfortable with his absence now that safety has been secured.

Speaking after the win over Preston, Hoops boss Marti Cifuentes said: “This (the Preston win) should give us energy and motivation, something to build on for the next game.

"We're going to play against a team, Swansea, that as well at the moment are in a good rhythm, good form and we need to make sure that we've recovered well. It's only 72 hours for the next game, and it was a real effort on Friday. In the second half, we really had to push and it's very important that we keep working hard until the end - I'm sure that the guys will do."

He added: “Sometimes you get into these moments and you need to make sure that you get away from them very quickly. I think the team have reacted well. It's true that the guys made a real shift in the last weeks and credit to them. Now it's three games left, two of them at home and we really want to finish in a good way."

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