Queens Park Rangers have been dealt a fresh injury setback ahead of a crucial period of Championship fixtures, with manager Julien Stephan confirming the absence of a key squad member.
Midfielder Sidelined for Key Fixtures
Julien Stephan has revealed that versatile midfielder Sam Field will be unavailable for selection for the upcoming matches against West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City. The 27-year-old was forced off at half-time during last weekend's 3-1 defeat away to Norwich City with a suspected groin issue.
Providing an update in his pre-match press conference, the QPR boss offered a clearer prognosis. "Sam Field will be back probably in 10 days or two weeks," Stephan told West London Sport. "It's a little injury and that's good news, because I thought at the end of the first half it was a worse injury, but it's not the case."
Impact on QPR's Festive Schedule
The timing of the injury is far from ideal for Stephan, whose team host West Brom at Loftus Road this Saturday. The Baggies sit just one place and zero points above 13th-placed QPR in a tightly-packed Championship table. Following that, Rangers travel to face Birmingham City next week.
Field, who made 35 league appearances last season, has been used in an unconventional left-back role at times this term, including in the game at Carrow Road where he provided an assist for Rumarn Burrell's 11th-minute equaliser. This is the first time he has been unavailable through injury this campaign.
His absence could prompt a recall for 19-year-old Brazilian Esquerdinha, who has been absent recently but may return to training this week.
Further Fitness Concerns for Rangers
The news on Field is part of a broader injury picture that Stephan is managing as the busy festive schedule approaches. Goalkeeper Ben Hamer remains sidelined as he recovers from a blow to the face sustained against Blackburn Rovers. Paul Nardi deputised against Norwich, but Hamer is expected to be available for the Birmingham City fixture.
In more concerning news, young attacker Rayan Kolli has suffered another muscle injury. The 20-year-old, who featured more regularly under previous boss Marti Cifuentes, is not expected to play again until the New Year.
"Rayan Kolli will probably come back at the end of the month," Stephan confirmed. "We need to be careful because it's not the first [injury]. Probably in two or three weeks he can start the training sessions."
The injuries represent a setback for Stephan, who had recently seen his squad return to near full fitness after starting the season with a lengthy treatment list. The defeat at Norwich ended a three-match unbeaten run for the London club.
