QPR dealt a ‘farcical’ injury setback ahead of Swansea City and Derby County.

Julien Stephan welcomed injury improvements last week, but he now faces a setback as QPR prepare to face Swansea City.
QPR have suffered another injury setback with Jake Clarke-Salter’s rehabilitation, just as the defender appeared to be on the verge of returning to first-team action.

The 28-year-old had established himself as a crucial member of the R’s squad after joining from Chelsea in 2022, but injuries have limited his career in recent seasons. Clarke-Salter only made 11 Championship appearances last season and has yet to play for the first team this season.

The defender last featured for QPR in January, a 6-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester City, and has been sidelined since with a hip injury. Clarke-Salter had successful surgery in January and was on the verge of returning to the first team this week.

Jake Clarke-Salter has had another injury setback.

Clarke-Salter appeared to be nearing a return when he appeared for the Development Squad against Swansea City at the end of September. The centre-back played just 11 minutes in that game before being replaced as a precaution.

In an almost comical turn of events, Clarke-Salter only lasted 30 minutes before having to leave due to injury. There is some good news for QPR, as an update from the QPR Development Squad News page on X claims that it was not an aggravation of a previous injury, but rather the consequence of a stamp from an opposing player.

Stephan had previously stated: “With excellent load management, I believe he will be able to recover quite strong – both physically and psychologically. He might be a significant asset to us in the future because we know he’s a very excellent left-footed defender, and we don’t have a left-footed centre-back, so that makes a big difference in terms of angles and passes. But we also need to be patient with him. We want to instill in him the confidence he needs.”

The club’s injury update last week showed that Clarke-Salter was back to full fitness. The player was claimed to have resumed full training over the international break and was ‘available for selection’.

QPR star a doubt for Swansea City and Derby County

Clarke-Salter did not make the Millwall squad, however he was picked to the starting XI for the Development Squad’s match against AFC Bournemouth on Monday, with returning first-team colleagues Ilias Chair and Kwame Poku.

In an almost comical turn of events, Clarke-Salter only lasted 30 minutes before having to leave due to injury. There is some good news for QPR, as an update from the QPR Development Squad News page on X claims that it was not an aggravation of a previous injury, but rather the consequence of a stamp from an opposing player.

That seems Clarke-Salter will not face another lengthy layoff, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to play against Swansea City on Wednesday night or Derby County on Saturday.

Stephan’s team travels to Wales for an early six-pointer versus the Swans, with only two points and two positions separating the two teams. Derby County is currently ranked 21st in the Championship.

In other news, Millwall’s Massimo Luongo’s injury update comes as Swansea City’s manager sends a stern message ahead of QPR – round-up.