John Eustace is back at Loftus Road, this time for Derby County rather than Blackburn Rovers.
QPR host Derby County to Loftus Road this Saturday in a contest that will pique the Championship’s interest after the visitors had a memorable week.
Rams manager John Eustace has returned to Pride Park after quitting promotion-chasing Blackburn Rovers. Eustace, who is a former QPR manager, ended his playing career with Derby County in 2015.
Eustace was at Loftus Road earlier this month and was beaten 2-1 by the R’s, who will be hoping for another win following midweek defeat to Coventry City. Here’s your QPR v Derby County team news.
QPR team news
QPR will be without Rayan Kolli against Derby County this weekend. The striker was absent from the matchday squad against Coventry City on Tuesday night and the club confirmed that the 19-year-old had picked up an injury blow.
QPR said: “Rayan Kolli hasn’t travelled due to injury. He’s anticipated to return to action next month.”
The club shared an in-depth injury update at the end of January with Marti Cifuentes managing longer-term absentees rather than any fitness doubts at the moment.
Jake Clarke-Salter hasn’t played since the start of January and is enduring a ‘period of time’ on the treatment table following a hip injury. Speaking about the player, Cifuentes said: “I’m very sad for him. He’s a player and a guy that I really rate – from a professional and personal perspective. It’s a big setback. I’m very down because of the injury and very sad because it will be a long one.
“This season we had a lot of expectations about how much he could help us – last season and at the beginning of this season he showed how good a player he is.”
Lucas Andersen picked up an injury against Norwich City last month and is making ‘good progress’ but wasn’t set to return to training until early February. He wasn’t in the matchday squad against Coventry City but a return could be close.
Kader Dembele is a longer term absentee following knee surgery in November and has completed the first phase of his pitch rehabilitation. The winger is expected to be available for selection again in mid February but is yet to make a matchday squad.
Neither has Zan Celar, who has a hamstring injury, also picked up against Norwich City in December. He is into the second phase of his rehab process following surgery and isn’t expected to be back on the training pitch until mid February.
Meanwhile, Harvey Vale was signed from Chelsea on Deadline Day but arrived at Loftus Road already injured. A club statement confirmed: “The 21-year-old is currently sidelined through injury and will not be available to play this season. He will now continue his rehab at QPR in preparation for the 2025/26 campaign.”
Doubts – Kader Dembele, Lucas Andersen. Outs – Jake Clarke-Salter, Zan Celar, Harvey Vale.
Derby County team news
Corey Blackett-Taylor picked up a hamstring injury against Cardiff City at the end of January is set for a period on the sidelines as he recovers. Defender Kane Wilson has a similar injury, sustained against Sunderland last month, and is also expected to be out.
Dajaune Brown is yet another Rams star with a hamstring injury, also picked up against the Black Cats. His injury required surgery and is set to be a season ending one for the forward. Centre-back Curtis Nelson is also out for the rest of the campaign with an ACL problem.
Outs – Corey Blackett-Taylor, Kane Wilson, Curtis Nelson, Dajaune Brown.
