Queens Park Rangers' preparations for their Championship showdown with Southampton have been dealt a significant blow with the news that midfielder Michael Poku has been ruled out through injury.
The 22-year-old, who has been making waves since his summer arrival, suffered the setback during training this week, leaving manager Marti Cifuentes with yet another selection headache ahead of Saturday's vital fixture.
'It's a big disappointment for us,' Cifuentes admitted during his pre-match press conference. 'Michael has been showing excellent progress and was really finding his rhythm with the team. We'll need to assess him properly, but he won't be available for the weekend.'
Mounting Concerns for Rangers
The absence of Poku compounds what's becoming an increasingly worrying injury situation at Loftus Road. The creative midfielder joins several key players in the treatment room, forcing Cifuentes to consider alternative options for the trip to St Mary's.
While the Spanish manager remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of Poku's injury, he did confirm that the medical team are working around the clock to get players back to full fitness.
Southampton Test Looms Large
This injury news comes at a particularly inconvenient time for QPR, who face a Southampton side riding high after their promotion to the Premier League. The Saints represent one of the toughest tests in the Championship this season, and Cifuentes knows his squad will need to be at their absolute best.
'We have a deep squad, and this provides an opportunity for other players to step up,' the QPR boss insisted, putting a brave face on the situation. 'Every player in this team knows what's expected of them, and we'll be ready for Southampton.'
With the Championship season heating up, QPR fans will be hoping this latest injury setback doesn't derail their team's momentum as they look to build on their recent performances.
