Julien Stephan confirms QPR blow ahead of West Brom - 4 players have issues | OneFootball

QPR boss Julien Stephan has confirmed that four players will miss the game against West Brom at Loftus Road on Saturday.

QPR boss Julien Stephan has confirmed they will be without four players for the home game against West Brom on Saturday.

The R’s have had a decent season so far, but a disappointing defeat away to Norwich City last time out has left them 13th in the table going into the weekend fixtures.

So, Stephan will be demanding a response from his team, but he will be without four players for Albion’s visit, with ex-Baggies man Sam Field among them after he was forced off at Carrow Road last time out at half-time.

Julien Stephan shares QPR team news ahead of West Brom clash

The midfielder was one of a quartet of players that Stephan gave an update on when speaking to journalist Jon Harland as he gave a timescale on when he expects Field, Ben Hamer, Rayan Kolli and Harvey Vale to return.

“We have four players who will not be available for the next game. Field will be back in 10 days or two weeks. Kolli will probably be back at the end of the month. Hamer will be available on Tuesday. Vale will (be back training) next week.”

Hamer has been absent since he was forced off in the win at Blackburn a few weeks ago, whilst Vale hasn’t played in almost a month, with Kolli also in-and-out the side over the past few months.

So, in terms of the XI that started against Norwich, Stephan won’t be forced into major changes, with Isaac Hayden a potential option for the Frenchman in terms of who replaces Field in the middle of the park.

QPR have the squad to cope with the busy December period

Obviously, this is far from ideal for Stephan, particularly ahead of the festive period, which is notoriously demanding for all clubs in the Football League, so every manager up and down the country would want a full group to pick from - even if that hardly ever happens for them!

However, the reality is that QPR still have a good squad, and the likes of Hamer, Kolli and Vale aren’t exactly nailed on starters either, so it’s not like they have been robbed of their key players who can’t be replaced.

Therefore, Stephan will have a belief that the XI he picks will be able to get the job done against a West Brom side that have struggled for consistency this season.

Given how remarkably tight the Championship is right now, QPR know that if they can put together a positive run, they could quickly find themselves in a position where they’re in the play-offs and looking up the table, which will be the aim.

December is often pivotal in any Championship season, and Stephan will be calling on all of his squad over the next month to play a part as QPR look to kick-on.