Injury concerns temper QPR’s ascent to top half
QPR manager Neil Warnock admits his side are running out of fit players as they continue their excellent return to life in the Premier League.
Warnock only had five substitutes on the bench for Saturday’s 3-2 win at Stoke, after losing winger Jason Puncheon and goalkeeper Brian Murphy to illness and injury respectively before kick-off.
Striker Jay Bothroyd was missing with a hamstring problem, while defenders Luke Young, Danny Gabbidon and Armand Traore all suffered knocks as Rangers climbed to ninth in the table.
“It’s just like an accident and emergency unit at the minute,” Warnock said. “Near the end of the game Luke Young had to come off and we had Danny Gabbidon and Armand Traore who wanted to come off. I shouted to Traore that he had to stay on.
“Bothroyd felt a little bit tight in his hamstring on Friday and looked a bit sorry for himself on the training ground.”
Midfielder Adel Taarabt was away on international duty but is due to report back today – if he locates his elusive travel documents.
“I’ve not seen Taarabt, he is coming in on Monday,” Warnock added.
“I spoke to him on Friday and he had lost his passport on the Moroccan trip, so I can’t comment other than I’ll see him on Monday.
“But he might have to play at centre-half next week.”