QPR confirm injury to 'crucial' star who rated 9/10 v Leeds United hours ahead of Stoke City clash
Marti Cifuentes looks to build on a good point against Leeds United but will be without key first team stars.
QPR had hoped to welcome back several first team stars following the two week break from Championship action afforded by the international break. The R’s travel to Stoke City tomorrow as the second tier returns.
Marti Cifuentes’ side picked up a good point against high-flying Leeds United at Loftus Road last time out, stopping a run of four back-to-back defeats. The Potters host this weekend and are fighting for survival under the stewardship of Mark Robins, who was appointed by the club in January.
QPR have been soldiering on without a number of key players in recent weeks but it looked as if both midfielder Jonathan Varane and Rayan Kolli could return this weekend. The former, who was signed from Sporting de Gijon for a reported £875,000 last summer, featured front and centre of a video shared by the club from training this week.
QPR provide injury update
Varane looked to be all smiles and gave the camera a thumbs up as he headed out with his first team colleagues but the club has confirmed that he will not feature this weekend. Neither will Kolli, who hasn’t played since the start of February, but appeared to tease a return on Instagram this week.
A statement read: “Jonathan Varane and Alfie Lloyd have both rejoined team training this week following short spells out with a hamstring injury and ankle issue respectively. Sam Field has started work on the pitch following the ankle injury he sustained against Portsmouth. The midfielder is on course to resume team training next week.
“Rayan Kolli is progressing well following a hamstring injury and it is anticipated he will reintegrate into team training next week. After a period of time progressing his rehab, Žan Celar will gradually build up his training load over the coming weeks.”
There is also a blow in news that the ever-influential Ilias Chair will be sidelined for a further four weeks due to a hamstring injury picked up against Middlesbrough earlier this month. The winger has six assists and two goals in December 21. Cifuentes said he was ‘very concerned’ about the injury at the time and now the player may not return until May.
Steve Cook puts in crucial Leeds United performance
Perhaps the most concerning news from the QPR injury update came in an injury to Steve Cook. The QPR captain has scored in his last two matches, against Middlesbrough and Leeds United, and was awarded a 9/10 for his performance against the Whites. LondonWorld wrote: “That’s more like the Steve Cook that QPR fans know and love. Was sharp from the off, getting his head on an early cross and, while helped by a lack of Leeds United marking, worked his space well to take the header that led to the second goal.”
The QPR statement read: “Steve Cook, who came off against Leeds before the international break, will need a period of offload to help manage an ongoing foot injury which was first sustained at the end of December. He is currently on course to rejoin team training next week in the build up to our home fixture with Cardiff City.”
In other news, QPR tried and failed to sign a 'wonderful' ex Tottenham and Celtic man over the international break.