Queens Park Rangers have received a significant team selection boost ahead of their Championship clash with Hull City this Saturday, with summer signing Kwame Poku declared fit for selection.
QPR's Attacking Options Expand
Head coach Julien Stephan confirmed the welcome news that provides a timely lift for the west London club. The R's are chasing their first three points at Loftus Road since a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at the end of September, hoping to end a run of four league matches without a win.
The 24-year-old winger, Poku, started the season opener against Preston North End but was subsequently sidelined by injury. He made a brief return against Ipswich Town at the start of November, only to suffer a fresh training setback that ruled him out of the last two fixtures.
According to reports from West London Sport, Poku has now returned to full training and is in contention for the weekend. This presents Stephan with a positive selection dilemma, as his attacking options are now nearly at full strength.
In further good news for the Hoops, defender Jake Clarke-Salter is also available after a series of recovery setbacks had prevented him from making a first-team appearance this season. The only confirmed absentees remain the longer-term injured duo of Ziyad Larkeche and goalkeeper Joe Walsh.
Portsmouth's Triple Fitness Boost
Meanwhile, a significant development has emerged on the south coast where Portsmouth are preparing to host Millwall.
Pompey boss John Mousinho delivered an optimistic update, confirming that three key players could return to the squad. The trio of Callum Lang, Nicolas Schmid, and Adrian Segecic have all returned to training and are available for selection.
This represents a potential challenge for Millwall, who are themselves seeking a first win in four matches. Striker Callum Lang was particularly instrumental in Portsmouth's successful relegation battle last season, while summer signing Adrian Segecic offers additional attacking pace.
Perhaps most crucially, goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid could be reinstated immediately to the starting line-up. Before his injury, sustained early in the match against Southampton, Schmid had cemented himself as the first-choice keeper, conceding just three goals in his first 386 minutes of Championship football this season.
Championship Weekend Implications
These injury updates could prove pivotal in this weekend's Championship fixtures. For QPR, a fully fit squad provides the best possible chance to overcome a Hull City side sitting fifth in the table, eleven places above the R's.
For Portsmouth, the return of three influential players offers a major boost as they look to secure their first victory since October 4th, when they defeated Middlesbrough at Fratton Park. The returning firepower will be vital against a Millwall side desperate to stop their own slide in form.
