QPR head coach Julien Stephan has delivered disappointing news regarding winger Kwame Poku's fitness, confirming the player is not yet ready to return from injury. This setback comes just as the team prepares for critical Championship matches against Birmingham City and Leicester City this week.
Poku's Absence Against Middlesbrough
Stephan had initially expected Poku to make his comeback during Sunday's match against Middlesbrough, marking his first appearance since early January. The French manager acknowledged that the 24-year-old would not be able to complete a full 90 minutes but had hoped to give him up to 20 minutes of playing time.
However, Poku was conspicuously absent from the matchday squad when it was announced on Sunday. Following the game, Stephan explained the situation, stating, "He trained three sessions this week and yesterday, after the last one, he didn't feel as if he was really ready to be involved in the 20 players."
The coach emphasized the need for continued physical and confidence building, adding, "We need to continue to build him physically, build his confidence to be ready for the next one, or the week after. I don't know exactly, but he didn't feel that he was ready yesterday."
Stop-Start Season for the Winger
Poku's first season with QPR has been plagued by injuries since his high-profile move from Peterborough United last summer. The winger, who had an impressive record of 12 goals and eight assists in League One last term, has yet to score or assist in the Championship.
His campaign began promisingly with a start in the opening fixture against Preston North End, but a hamstring injury sidelined him for nearly three months. After returning briefly, Poku suffered another hamstring problem in January and has not played since the 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
QPR's Attacking Struggles
The timing of Poku's continued absence is particularly concerning for QPR, who have failed to score in their last three matches while conceding 11 goals. The team desperately needs fresh attacking options as they face Birmingham City on Wednesday night followed by a quick turnaround against Leicester City on Saturday.
Stephan addressed the challenges of managing Poku's return, telling West London Sport, "I hope he will come back quickly. There is a difference between coming back and being competitive. There is a big difference."
The manager elaborated on the careful approach needed, saying, "When you come back like this you need to be clever about how you restart. It was a long injury. In fact, he had two long injuries this season, so he didn't play a lot. Of course it is good news. But we don't consider that only one player can change everything. It's an option. One more player. But I repeat, there's a difference between coming back and being competitive."
Looking Ahead
As QPR prepares for their upcoming fixtures, Stephan must find solutions to their attacking woes without one of their key summer signings. The team's performance in these matches could be crucial to their Championship campaign, making Poku's continued absence all the more significant.
The situation highlights the challenges football clubs face with injury management and the delicate balance between rushing players back and ensuring they are fully prepared for competitive action.
