QPR handed double injury concern ahead of Preston North End

QPR could be without two important defensive stars for the start of the Championship season against Preston North End at Loftus Road this weekend.

Julien Stephan will oversee his first competitive match as R’s head coach when Paul Heckingbottom brings his side to west London. Preston North End finished last season in 20th place, five places and six points behind QPR.

Stephan saw his men beaten 1-0 by Premier League opposition Brentford over the weekend in their final pre-season run out, which came after draws against Heerenveen and Cardiff City, as well as a win over Toulouse.

QPR handed double injury concern

There were plenty of positives to be taken from the outing against local rivals Brentford but there were two causes for concern during the match. West London Sport reports that both Jimmy Dunne and Steve Cook went off early in the second half with small knocks.

Dunne, who had been linked with a transfer to Sheffield United this summer but signed a new deal with QPR, has become a mainstay at right-back. He made 45 Championship appearances last term, scoring five goals and picking up two assists.

Dunne has taken the club captaincy of Cook, whose minutes had dwindled following an injury last season. The veteran did still make 31 appearances.

Speaking about the captaincy transition, Dunne said: “Thankfully, I have Steve around who handed the armband over to me and said a lot of nice things to the group about me. He talked about how we can develop our leadership style together, because there are other experienced heads in the group.

“I’m grateful that Steve's still around so I can learn a lot from him because he's incredibly experienced, he's led by example previously, so I'm going to try to take a leaf out of his book. That experience goes a long way when you want to take on someone's advice - it’s coming from someone who's been there and done it. It can go a lot further.

“But even just the guys a similar age to me, Jake (Clarke-Salter), Ilias (Chair) and Fieldy (Sam Field), we've been through a lot together at the club – different head coaches, really tough times, some amazing moments. I think we'll all have our own kind of unique leadership style and, you know, mine will be separate. Hopefully I can make everyone smile and make everyone laugh as well as work hard and lead by example on the pitch.”

Julien Stephan provides injury update

QPR have bolstered their defensive options with the signing of versatile Reading man Amadou Mbengue but the absences of Cook and Dunne would still be a big loss against Preston North End. The London outfit endured a long injury crisis across the club last term and Stephan will be keen to avoid a similar situation this year.

Speaking about the injuries after the Brentford game, he said: “I don’t know. It’s too early to say. Let’s see. I’m not a doctor and I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet. I hope Jimmy will be OK because we stopped [him playing] quickly. For Cookie it was after a run, so I don’t know yet. I hope we can have these players available.”

Karamoko Dembele was also taken off after the break because of cramp, but should be fit to face Preston North End. Neither Michael Frey or Zan Celar featured in the squad due to injury and personal reasons. It remains to be seen whether either player, or incoming striker Pape Meissa Ba, are ready to face Preston North End.

In other news, QPR 'exemplary' star quits club for Wigan as R's 'close' to marquee signing.