QPR handed huge relegation boost in blow to Oxford United and Preston North End

QPR are set to welcome back striker Rayan Kolli against Oxford United in a timely boost for the club, who teeter on the brink of a relegation dogfight in the Championship.

Marti Cifuentes’ side have not won a league match in their last seven outings and that dismal run of form has seen the R’s plummet down the division. QPR, who had looked like potential play-off contenders at one point, now sit 16th and are just five points above the drop zone.

It’s Oxford United next up for the London club, with the U’s just two places and two points behind QPR. Defeat to Gary Rowett’s side would spell huge trouble for Cifuentes and drag his team even closer to another fight for survival.

QPR handed injury boost for Oxford United six-pointer

Hopes of getting a result from that match had been hampered over the weekend with striker Alfie Lloyd picking up an injury against Cardiff City. The 21-year-old is set to miss out against Oxford United and that looked set to leave QPR without an out-and-out striker with Zan Celar, Michael Frey and Kolli also struggling with injury.

However, a statement from the club confirmed on Tuesday that Kolli is set to be fit enough to face Oxford United. That’s not only a boost for this week but welcome news ahead of facing Preston North End next week with Paul Heckingbottom’s side two points and two places above QPR.

The QPR statement read: “As we head into the final six fixtures of the 2024/25 season, the club would like to provide an injury update. All timelines are subject to players continuing on their current rehabilitation paths.

“Rayan Kolli has returned to full training and is available for selection. Michael Frey is making good progress and is targeting rejoining the group towards the end of this week.

“Steve Cook is currently offloaded due to an ongoing foot injury. Ilias Chair is now into his third week of pitch-based activity and is progressing well. He is expected to rejoin group training next week.

“Alfie Lloyd is undergoing follow-up tests after sustaining an injury against Cardiff City at the weekend. Žan Celar is into his fourth week of pitch-based rehabilitation while Jake Clarke-Salter and Harvey Vale are anticipated to start their on-pitch activities later this month.”

Rayan Kolli named ‘best young prospect’ at Loftus Road

Kolli has four Championship goals to his name this season and has impressed in a breakthrough campaign. The player picked up a brace against Norwich City in December and also scored against Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle.

Kolli’s ability has also been praised by Football League World fan pundit Louis Moir, who labelled the striker the ‘best young prospect’ at Loftus Road. That’s some praise with Kieran Morgan and Alfie Lloyd impressing this term and Emerson Sutton touted for big things.

Moir wrote:“It’s nice to see someone who has been at the club for a very long time, since they were really young, hopefully becoming an actual sellable asset in the future for us, and someone who you can say has come through the youth system. He did himself wonders against Norwich, scoring two goals. He’s been fortunate, as with the other strikers being out injured, we had no one else to lead the line. He’s been thrown in and has done well. If you look at his actual goal involvements for us in the Championship, either starting or coming on, he is doing very well.

“Obviously he has still got a long way to go to be a top player, but for him at the moment, at his age, he is doing everything right. He’s still only 19. If he kicks on and develops like he could, then he could be the next player we sell on for quite a lot of money.

“He’s got that sort of technical ability as an attacking midfielder, wide player and striker. He has got something about him. You’ve just got to unlock that further and hope that he kicks on. He’s doing everything right at the moment, and it’s really exciting to have him at the club.”

In other news, a Saudi Arabian club are reported to have sent QPR a transfer bid for Rayan Kolli.