Rowly blow for Rangers
 | | |
By Ben Kosky
QPR will resist the temptation to delve into the loan market again despite losing Martin Rowlands for the rest of the season.
The Rangers midfielder is out until the summer after tearing his knee ligaments for the second time this season during a training session last Friday.
With Tommy Doherty also a long-term injury absentee and Marc Bircham still to regain full match fitness, the Rs' midfield options look limited as they prepare to face Sheffield United this weekend.
But caretaker manager Gary Waddock - who sent three loan players back to their clubs immediately after taking charge - has no plans to borrow a replacement midfielder.
"The squad is big enough at the moment, the players we've got here are good enough and I want to look at everybody and give them a chance," said Waddock.
"We need competition to keep everyone on their toes and I feel we've still got that.
"It's a big blow losing Rowly. He's the type of player you want in your side and he's desperate to play.
"He's one of those who can't hold back when he comes in to training and maybe it makes him more prone to injuries, but that's part and parcel of being a professional footballer."
Rowlands had been out since early January with a calf strain and injuries have restricted him to just 15 appearances this season.
Doherty, who made a promising start to his QPR career after a summer move from Bristol City, has been sidelined for three months.
"Doc has to get reserve games under his belt before he comes back into contention," said Waddock. "All the training in the world helps, but games are what he needs."
Better news for Rangers is that skipper Kevin Gallen returned to training this week and could be in line to play against Wolves a week on Saturday.
Read the Times every Wednesday for all the latest QPR news.
ben.kosky@archant.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|