"It’s such a shame" - Claim made on Jake Clarke-Salter's QPR situation | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit has given his verdict on Jake Clarke-Salter's impending return to the side

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Jake Clarke-Salter is reportedly close to making a return to training at QPR after suffering a hip injury in January.

Julien Stéphan claimed late last month that the defender is on course to make his return to training, as he looks to come back from surgery earlier this year.

The centre-back has endured a number of injury issues throughout his career, which has prevented him from being a consistent presence for the London outfit.

Given his fitness issues, there could be some concern over whether he will be able to return to the level of play that he reached prior to hip surgery at the start of this year.

Jake Clarke-Salter worry eased

When asked about these concerns about Clarke-Salter, FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir claimed he’s not too worried about the player’s level.

He believes that the key will be maintaining his fitness once he comes back, rather than getting back to the ability he showed prior to this particular issue.

“I’m not too worried about Clarke-Salter returning and watching him and thinking he doesn’t seem right, he doesn’t look like what we’re used to with him,” Moir told Football League World.

“He’s suffered a few injuries during his time at QPR, and every time he has returned and played, it’s not like he’s looked any different or become worse.

“You could argue this time around it’s more of a severe injury and obviously he’s been out for a long time, but I’ve got faith that he’s going to come back.

“What I’m worried about really is if he’s going to stay fit for a long duration of he’s going to be out again so soon after.

“I’m not worried about his ability, or him as a player declining because he’s come back each time and looked really good.”

Jake Clarke-Salter’s importance to QPR

Moir reiterated his hope that Clarke-Salter can remain fit for QPR, claiming that he is one of the best in the division in his position when he’s playing at his best.

“It’s just obviously his injury record is not good in terms of being out, coming back and being out again, so that’s the one thing I’m worried about,” he continued.

“It’d just be crucial for us if he stays fit because if he comes in and plays that left-sided centre-half role.

“It’s such a shame because if he was consistent with his fitness, well one, he probably wouldn’t be at QPR, but he is a top centre-half and he is one of the best, especially one of the best left-sided centre-halves in the Championship.

“When he’s fit, he’s brilliant and it’s so frustrating that we’ve not been able to get him fit.

“I suppose it’s harsh because it’s down to the player himself, injury-wise he’s had this horrible record.

“We need to try and do the best we can with him in his rehabilitation and progress and fingers crossed.

“He did return from injury played about 30-odd games, I think, a year or so ago, so he can do it.

“But the demands on this league, they have got tougher, so it’s going to be interesting to see.

“But he needs to get fit, slot back straight into this team and he’ll make us a miles better outfit in this division because he’s so so good.”

QPR’s slow start without Jake Clarke-Salter

QPR have endured a slow start to the campaign, with a 7-1 loss to Coventry City being their most notable loss from their opening four fixtures.

Stéphan’s side are currently 18th in the table, with only four points from a possible 12 to their name, despite a 3-1 win over Charlton Athletic in their most recent fixture.

Next up for the Hoops is a trip to face Wrexham when the league action resumes after the international break, with the sides set to meet on 13 September in a 3pm kick-off.

Jake Clarke-Salter’s return will be a boost for QPR

There will be concerns over Clarke-Salter’s return until he actually gets back on the pitch for QPR, as you can never know how someone will recover from something as serious as hip surgery.

The number of injury issues that the defender has sustained is also a concern, as he’s someone that may never hit his full potential.

If he can come back and hit the ground running with a string of appearances in a row, then that would be a huge boost for QPR.