QPR boosted by having Dieng, Chair and Kakay at disposal for busy period

The R’s will travel away to Bristol City this evening (Thursday, 7.45pm) as they bid to bounce back to winning ways following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Monday.

It is then a trip away to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham City on Sunday, January 2 as they face a hectic week after playing for the first time in 22 days on Monday.

“We are hoping to have all three players (Dieng, Kakay and Chair) with us until after the Birmingham game but it’s a big concern for any team to lose three players in a tight squad,” manager Mark Warburton said.

Queens Park Rangers' Osman Kakay (left) and Stoke City's Josh Tymon (right) in action (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

“We have players who are struggling with injury and players who are struggling in the current pandemic.

“We will see what we can do in the January transfer window but it is never easy because it is the hardest window by a long way.”

Ilias Chair did however miss out on the Bournemouth clash through injury but the boss hopes it’s nothing too serious.

“We hope it’s nothing serious. He has a big tournament coming up in the African Cup of Nations and two important games for QPR.”

Andre Dozzell will miss out through suspension after being sent off late on against the Cherries although the boss is looking at the positives they can build on.

“I am beyond angry. Many clubs up and down the country are struggling with player availability for obvious reasons and now we lose another player to a very questionable decision.

“I was pleased with the way the players applied themselves. We haven’t played for 22 days and we have had a number of players self-isolating. I think they deserve enormous credit.

“We were on the front foot in the second half but the ball didn’t fall for us in the box. We didn’t really have enough quality with that final touch but the ball didn’t fall our way.”