The 7 players set to miss QPR v Millwall on Saturday | OneFootball

The R's have three absentees, whereas the Lions have four

Queens Park Rangers and Millwall get their 2026/27 campaigns underway on Saturday when they meet in the first round of the League Cup at Loftus Road.

Both clubs head into the new season with optimism after productive summers, but neither Julien Stephan nor Alex Neil will have a fully-fit squad available for the all-Championship encounter.

While progression in the cup will be the immediate objective, the fixture also offers both managers a final opportunity to assess their squads in competitive action before the Championship campaign gets underway next weekend.

QPR have been boosted by positive updates on several players in recent days, although there are still a couple of confirmed absentees.

Millwall, meanwhile, have been hit much harder by injuries during their preseason run, with a number of key first-team players ruled out after suffering setbacks, including one player who featured in every Championship game last term.

Here are the players expected to miss Saturday's cup clash.

QPR

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Justin Obikwu

The striker will not be available for Saturday's League Cup clash despite returning to training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Julien Stephan confirmed the 22-year-old still requires more time before he is ready for competitive football, meaning his long-awaited QPR debut will have to wait.

Karamoko Dembele

Dembele also remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from the ACL injury he suffered in February. The winger has made positive progress in his recovery, but Saturday's visit of Millwall comes too soon.

Tariq Lamptey

There are still question marks surrounding Tariq Lamptey's availability after he arrived at Loftus Road from Fiorentina whilst recovering from an ACL injury, although the full-back had reportedly been close to returning shortly after signing.

Millwall

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Tristan Crama

Crama's injury is arguably the biggest blow for either side heading into the fixture. Alex Neil has confirmed the defender's ankle problem, initially sustained in the play-off semi-final against Hull City before being aggravated against Royal Antwerp, is worse than first feared. After undergoing surgery, the Frenchman vowed on social media that he would return "stronger". Having played every Championship game last season for the Lions, his absence is a major setback for the Lions going into the new campaign.

Mathis Servais

Summer signing Servais is another confirmed absentee after suffering a hamstring injury following the friendly against Bromley. Neil explained that the issue is unusual in nature and, while it is not expected to keep him out for several months, it will certainly sideline him for longer than a couple of weeks.

Massimo Luongo

Luongo's emotional return to Millwall will not yet continue on the pitch. The experienced midfielder is still working his way back from the ACL injury he suffered last October and is not expected to feature this weekend.

Mihailo Ivanovic