Queens Park Rangers will be without four players when Lincoln City visit Loftus Road on Saturday, 7 November.
Nicolas Madsen, Rumarn Burrell and Tariq Lamptey have all been ruled out until after the November international break, joining long-term absentee Amadou Mbengue on the sidelines. The update leaves Rangers short of options across several positions ahead of our trip to West London. However, two familiar faces could be involved against us, with former Imps loanees Alfie Lloyd and Justin Obikwu among their attacking options.
As reported by West London Sport, head coach Julien Stephan has confirmed the injured trio will miss QPR’s next four matches. City are the last opponents in that sequence, following their games against Swansea City, Southampton and Burnley.
Madsen Blow Adds To Rangers’ Problems
Madsen’s absence is a significant setback for Rangers, with the midfielder having been named their Player of the Season last term. He felt a problem towards the end of the recent win against Derby County and, despite being named among the substitutes at Birmingham on Saturday, was unable to come on.
A subsequent scan has confirmed he needs a spell out of action. Stephan explained that the midfielder had tested the problem during the Birmingham game, but it had not responded well.
“Nico felt something at the end of the game against Derby. He did a warm-up to know if he would be available for the second part of the Birmingham game and it didn’t feel very good.
“The medical staff scanned him and the scan showed that he needed to rest, between three and four weeks, probably until the international break.
“It’s a shame because we know he’s an important player for us. But now we have to think about the other options we have.”
Burrell has already been missing for a month, while Lamptey remains sidelined with an ankle problem. The latter’s absence is compounded by Mbengue’s anterior cruciate ligament injury, which is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
That leaves Kealey Adamson as Rangers’ only fit right-back, reducing Stephan’s scope to rotate during the coming fixtures. There are more options on the opposite flank, where Dennis Cirkin is available again following suspension and Boy Kemper has impressed in his absence.
Two Former Imps Among Attacking Options
Burrell’s continued absence could create opportunities for two forwards we know well. Alfie joined us on loan from QPR in January, making 19 league appearances and scoring once as we secured the League One title.
Justin spent the first half of that campaign at Sincil Bank on loan from Coventry City, scoring three goals in 21 appearances across all competitions. Coventry recalled him in January before selling him to Rangers, bringing his time with the Imps to an end.
Richard Kone has also been given the all-clear after going off late in Saturday’s defeat at Birmingham. Meanwhile, Karamoko Dembele could return to the squad this weekend after playing 45 minutes for QPR’s development side on Sunday, his first action following a long-term knee injury.
Ilias Chair will remain unavailable for Saturday’s visit of Swansea, although his status for our trip next month has yet to be confirmed. With Dembele edging closer and Kone cleared to play, Rangers could still have several attacking options despite the four confirmed absences.
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