QPR will be keeping one close eye on Sheffield United situation - it can offer big Julien Stephan boost | OneFootball

QPR could be handed a big boost over the current goalkeeper situation at Sheffield United

QPR and Julien Stephan could be handed a big boost ahead of Saturday's meeting with Sheffield United due to injury concerns in a key area for the Blades.

QPR have shown signs of promise so far this season, however, the Hoops have been rather inconsistent when it comes to their results.

Despite highlighting their strengths in attack due to some notable signings in the final third, the defensive side of the game has let the R's down leading them to currently sitting in 15th position, four points off those desired play-off spots.

After piecing together a six-game unbeaten run, QPR's form in recent weeks has been somewhat below-par, having lost three of their last four league matches prior to their meeting with Southampton on Wednesday evening.

With a trip to Bramall Lane to face Championship strugglers Sheffield United in their sights, their season doesn't seem to be getting any easier as the Blades' first-choice goalkeeper, Michael Cooper, was subbed off with an injury against Coventry on Tuesday, and was replaced by Adam Davies, who conceded three when introduced.

From QPR's perspective, their strong attacking combined with Sheffield United's defensive injury worries, could give Stephan a huge boost heading into Saturday's clash, and will hope that Cooper isn't back in time for then.

QPR could have a field day at Bramall Lane if Michael Cooper is confirmed out injured

The 26-year-old shot stopper has been a key figure for the Blades since his arrival at the club at the start of last season. After making a keen impression in the 2024/25 season, Cooper kept a clean sheet in exactly half of his 46 Championship matches and established himself as one of, if not the best goalkeepers in the division.

However, fast-forward to now, and with the Blades in the midst of a time of turmoil, Cooper's performance levels have been inconsistent, clocking up a save percentage of 62% in comparison to 77% last term. According to Fotmob.

Despite merely keeping two clean sheets this season in 14 league matches, Cooper is still, without question, Sheffield United's number one. So if Davies has to fill in for Cooper between the sticks against QPR, Stephan will sure keep a close eye on the goalkeeping situation in the Steel City.

Blades manager Chris Wilder provided an update on his number one as he said to the Sheffield Star: "When he went down for one of the shots he saved early on, he tweaked his back and his neck. So he was in quite a bit of pain at half-time, and that obviously wasn't an ideal situation that we found ourselves in."

"We’ll work hard on him this week, do our best in the next 48 to 72 hours to get him right. But obviously, that wasn't a great situation to be in at half-time."

With there being no concrete answer as to whether or not Cooper will feature against QPR on Saturday, all involved at Bramall Lane will hope for a speedy recovery for their keeper, otherwise they could be preparing to endure their fourth league loss in a row.

Michael Cooper's potential absence will give Julien Stephan a big boost due to QPR's prolific attack

The Blades are already three points adrift from safety, and if their substitute goalkeeper, Davies, has to play more than a bit-part role for weeks to come, this could mean further worry for the Blades as the 33-year-old backup has only made seven appearances in all competitions since the beginning of last season.

As for QPR, they will be monitoring Cooper's recovery because the attacking threat that Stephan's side pose is frightful. Having the likes of Richard Kone and Rumarn Burrell, who have shown their worth so far this season, has been an exciting partnership that could do some damage against a low-on-confidence Davies.

As well as uncertainty around who will be the man in between the sticks against the R's on Saturday, it can't be said that the defence have been on top form either, as the Blades have leaked the most goals in the Championship so far this season with 26 conceded in 14 games.

If Wilder is to have any chance of guiding his side out of the drop zone, defensive stability is what they need. With new signings like Ben Mee, Mark McGuinness and Japhet Tanganga in their ranks to name a few, no one could've expected the Blades' backline to be as shaky as it is. However, not having Cooper at the base of the pitch against QPR will give Wilder one more problem on his hands right now, which would add to the long list at the club.