Julien Stephan facing new QPR blow ahead of West Ham | OneFootball

The Hoops are set to be without their star striker due to the length of time between his last international friendly and their game against West Ham

QPR are facing a big issue at the top end of the pitch, as it's expected that Rumarn Burrell won't be available for their trip to West Ham United next Friday, given the proximity of that game to his final international bout with Jamaica.

The Hoops have begun the campaign positively. Despite being on a run of three draws and a defeat in the four games heading into the current break, Julien Stephan's side sit inside the top six. Indeed, that 1-0 loss against Middlesbrough is their only one in eight games.

They have a chance to climb into the top two next Friday, too, as they open the first gameweek back after the international break with a trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham, who sit two points ahead of them in the top two.

A win against Nuno Espírito Santo's side would go a long way to proving that QPR's early-season form isn't set to fade away anytime soon, but they'll be preparing to head into the game shorthanded up front.

Rumarn Burrell a doubt for QPR's trip to West Ham United

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QPR fans have feared ever since the game against West Ham was moved to Friday night that Burrell might not be available, and West London Sport has confirmed the Jamaican international is indeed a doubt for the first game back after the break.

The 25-year-old was called up to Rudolph Speid's side for the CONCACAF Nations League meetings with Guatemala, El Salvador and twice against Honduras over three weeks, with the final matchup with the latter taking place on Tuesday 6 October.

Given the travel required after that game against Los Catrachos, West London Sport says Burrell won't land back in England until the day before the meeting with West Ham at the earliest, which may rule him out.

It adds to Julien Stephan's availability issues up front, with Richard Kone also expected to miss time after he was on the receiving end of a hard challenge in a development game against Bolton Wanderers last week.

How QPR fans have reacted to the possibility of Rumarn Burrell missing West Ham United clash

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With QPR heading to the London Stadium, a ground West Ham have scored 13 goals in their last three league outings at, Julien Stephan's side may be wise to try and sit off and hit the Hammers on the break.

If that did prove to be the game plan, Burrell would be the perfect outlet for that, as there aren't many quicker than the 25-year-old in football, let alone the Championship.

So, to lose him regardless is a blow, but the fact it's due to international games rather than any injury is even more sickening for Hoops fans.

"Burrell not playing at West Ham away is probably the worst thing that could happen ever," one QPR fan said on X. "Surely the club can pull rank here and say we have a game Friday he can’t be playing Tuesday night," another replied.

"Just pull him out of that game," one supporter suggested, while another said, hopefully, "Either Kone is ready by then, or Kolli finally comes in."

Rumarn Burrell's absence could open the door for Rayan Kolli to make his first appearance of the season

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While QPR do have the likes of Alfie Lloyd and Paul Smyth able to deputise up front, they won't be the fans' ideal first choice to step in. Instead, they'd rather see this open the door for Rayan Kolli to re-emerge from the sidelines.

The 21-year-old hasn't featured at all in a matchday squad this season, with Hoops boss Julien Stephan stating at a fans' forum earlier this month that his work rate needed to improve, but there's always a route back into the squad.

Kolli has been the standout performer for the development squad over this international break, with three goals in the two games played so far. Perhaps he could be the man Julien Stephan turns to against West Ham.