QPR tease 'fantastic' injury boost in time for tricky Burnley and Sunderland clashes

QPR are hopeful that star man Ilias Chair could return from a hamstring injury before the end of the season in a boost to the London side’s hopes of avoiding a relegation battle.

The R’s sit 15th in the second tier and are eight points clear of the drop zone following a three match unbeaten run with a win over Oxford United between draws with Bristol City and Cardiff City. Prior to that, QPR had lost five of their last six and were in freefall down the Championship table.

With just four fixtures left to play, Marti Cifuentes will hope that the eight point gap is enough to keep his side clear of the relegation zone no matter results but QPR do have a tricky run in of games. The west London outfit first face bottom half sides Swansea City and Preston North End but then finish the season with matches against two promotion chasing sides in Burnley and Sunderland. Scott Parker’s side make the visit to Loftus Road on April 26 before the season ends at the Stadium of Light on May 3.

QPR end season with tricky Burnley and Sunderland tests

QPR supporters won’t want to go into those final two fixtures needing results to stay in the Championship but news that Chair could return for those clashes is a significant boost. The 27-year-old has endured a season ravaged by injury but remains one of QPR’s most influential first team stars.

Chair missed the start of the season with a back injury and then a chunk of fixtures in November with a knee problem. The winger has now not played since the 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough with a hamstring problem.

When fit, Chair has picked up six assists and two goals in 25 Championship outings, having managed seven goals and eight assists last term. When asked about the player’s progress this week, Cifuentes told West London Sport: “Ilias has been working at a high level with the rest of the squad, full training, and he feels good. We’re aware that it’s the kind of injury that’s a bit tricky, so we want to go step by step with him, but I would be surprised if he is not ready to play some minutes before the end of the season.”

Ilias Chair ‘one of the best players in the league’

Cifuentes has not been afraid to praise Chair during his tenure at Loftus Road. After the forward bagged a brace against Derby County in February, Cifuentes said: “I think Ilias is one of the best players in the league.

“I’m pleased that today he scored the two goals – he’s a bit angry with me because he wanted the hat-trick and I subbed him. He’s a fantastic player and it’s sad that we missed him for such a long time in the beginning of the season. Happy that he’s back and happy that he’s doing well. And it’s not only him – all the players are performing at a really high level.”

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