Queens Park Rangers face mounting challenges in the Championship as key players Jake Clarke-Salter and Ilias Chair are ruled out of crucial fixtures against Cardiff City and Watford.
The club issued a detailed injury update on Wednesday, leaving manager Marti Cifuentes grappling with a depleted squad. That is in addition to a run of form that has left them rooted to the bottom of table.
A growing list of injuries has exacerbated QPR’s struggles. The team, which narrowly avoided relegation last season, was already under pressure, and hopes of a fully-fit squad following the international break have been dashed. Cifuentes remains determined, yet the absence of pivotal players like Clarke-Salter and Chair complicates his mission to secure points.
Key Players Sidelined
Clarke-Salter, a cornerstone of QPR’s defence, continues to battle a recurring calf issue that has disrupted his season. Chair, meanwhile, is recovering from a knee injury sustained during the club’s clash with Middlesbrough earlier this month. Both are expected to return in December if rehabilitation proceeds as planned.
The club also confirmed that young talent Kader Dembele has undergone knee surgery, ruling him out until February 2025. However, there is some relief for Cifuentes, with Harrison Ashby and Kenneth Paal declared fit to play, while Jack Colback edges closer to a return.
The next few weeks will be challenging for QPR, as Clarke-Salter and Chair are set to miss a string of key matches. The duo’s absence will be particularly felt against Cardiff City and Watford, as the team fights to stay afloat in a fiercely competitive Championship.
No Hiding
Cifuentes has admitted that while he hasn’t hidden behind the injuries, they have taken their toll, especially those on key Hoops personnel.
“I have not been saying much about it in the last weeks but now we have the international break, the main priority for us is to recover players. It is very difficult, especially when they are such important players. Is it an excuse? Not at all. We need to do better and compete better.”
Writer’s View
While QPR’s injury woes deepen, the spotlight is now firmly on Marti Cifuentes to rally his squad. The return of Ashby and Paal offers some hope, but losing Clarke-Salter and Chair underscores the need for tactical adaptability. If QPR can weather this storm and stay competitive, it will be a testament to Cifuentes’ management skills and the team’s resilience.
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