QPR vs Leeds injury latest as Daniel Farke's side handed huge blow in race for promotion

Queens Park Rangers will soon be hosting Leeds in their penultimate Championship fixture of the 2023/24 and while the Whites are hopeful of securing an automatic promotion spot back to the Premier League, Daniel Farke’s side could well be without one of their star players.

Marti Cifuentes will continue to be without Taylor Richards and Michael Frey but as yet there are no other injuries to contend with. The same, however, cannot be said for the Premier League-hopefuls who could be without Patrick Bamford who is currently suffering from a ‘big bruise on his knee’. When asked if the English striker would be available for a match on Saturday or Sunday, Farke said he would be, thus indicating the injury is not overly severe.

In the pre-match press conference, Farke said: “A few hits and knocks, we have to make some late decisions because it’s a short turnaround. The only major doubt is Patrick Bamford, a big bruise on his knee, I’d label this a major doubt if he’s available.”

The Elland Road side will also be without Daniel James who suffered a costal cartilage injury and an oblique abdominal muscle tear during a challenge late on in the club’s 4-3 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside. The winger did manage to finish the game but quickly fell to the ground when the whistle went and was helped off the pitch by physios.

Speaking about James’s injury, the Leeds boss said: “Normally with this type of injury you’re ruled out for two to three weeks. The turnaround would be 12 days. Normally he’s out but we still have a bit of hope. Our physios, doctors and Daniel are working more or less 24 hours to make him available, we’ll try everything. At the moment it’s realistic to say he’ll probably miss, it would be a nice little surprise if he’s available.”

Farke confirmed on Tuesday that James, 26, would be unavailable for this Friday’s trip to Loftus Road while his countryman Connor Roberts has also been ruled out of the clash. Pascal Struijk continues to recover from groin surgery after suffering a season-ending injury during the international break in March.