QPR: Kwame Poku concern issued after latest setback - 'I don't want him to be another Clarke-Salter' | OneFootball

The Hoops' summer signing sustained another injury issue in the recent defeat to Ipswich Town

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…

It has been a frustrating recent run for Queens Park Rangers of late, having suffered four defeats in five games since the end of the October international break.

Prior to the two-week gap in the Championship calendar last month, many were debating whether Julien Stephan's side could make a run for the play-offs over the course of the season, having sat amongst the cluster of sides who set the tone on that front for a period of time.

However, defeats to Millwall, Derby County, Ipswich Town and, most recently, Southampton, on Wednesday night have seen Rangers fall down to 16th in the table, albeit they remain just five points behind newly-promoted Charlton Athletic, who occupy the final place in the top-six after the opening 14 rounds of fixtures.

In recent weeks, Stephan's attack had drawn plenty of praise for their creativity, fluidity and dynamism, particularly the duo of Richard Kone and Rumarn Burrell, who had started to fire on all cylinders following summer moves from Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion of League One respectively.

Another man who gained constant attention for his third-tier performances hasn't quite been able to do the same just yet, and it looks set to remain that way for a brief period, as Kwame Poku sustained a second injury of the campaign in the 4-1 defeat to Ipswich last weekend.

However, as frustrating as such circumstances are, Football League World's QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, remains confident that the 24-year-old will be a good investment for the club.

Indeed, the Ghanaian was the subject of intense transfer interest throughout the summer after scoring 12 goals and posting eight assists in just 27 league starts in his final season with Peterborough United, with Rangers landing his signature for a reported initial compensation sum of just £900,000.

Such a fee was viewed as a coup, particularly with big-spending Birmingham City also long-standing admirers of the speedy winger. However, after making just 20 prior appearances at Championship level for Posh, Poku has been denied the chance to impress in W12 thus far.

After picking up a hamstring issue in the 1-1 draw with Preston North End on the opening day, the ex-Colchester United man is set for another brief spell on the sidelines, having missed Wednesday's defeat against the Saints.

Despite the concerns which some supporters have raised, Moir has full faith in Poku to get back to his best as soon as possible, although there's also concern that he could become another Jake Clarke-Salter, who has been plagued with injuries himself.

"After Poku's injury in the first game of the season, I thought, once he'd be back, he'd start firing and get that injury out the way," Louis told FLW.

"He comes back against Ipswich, and now he's injured again for maybe the next two games. It's so frustrating.

"He was one of the best signings in the whole league," Moir claimed. "And he didn't complete 90 minutes in the first game of the season, and we didn't see him until the Ipswich game, and now he's injured again.

"Before we know it, we're going to be 20-odd games into the season. He should be one of our best players, but what can you do? It's just frustrating.

"I don't want him to be another Clarke-Salter or another player who's absent for long periods. With his ability, I'm so confident that he can do it big-time at this level," Moir stated.

"Realistically, it was one of the best summer signings because of what he did in League One. His potential, his ability and the numbers he put up were brilliant. It was a brilliant signing.

"I'm just desperate to see him do it for us. To get two injuries already and not complete 90 minutes so far this season is frustrating, and I'm slightly concerned now.

"If this is another potential muscle injury, how can a player give it their all without getting injured if they've got this risk?," our fan pundit questioned.

"With excursion, is he going to be one of those players that's injury-prone? I hope not. Hopefully it's just a blip and he's been unlucky.

"Fingers crossed he can get fully fit and we can see him starting because, in our best team, he is our right-winger. Hopefully we see the best in him," Moir added.

Kwame Poku will hope his luck improves after early QPR setbacks

It is extremely unfortunate for Poku that he is yet to prove why Rangers were quick to land his services ahead of many rival competitors.

The winger has been a leading light in League One, and it was understandably why many, even those on the outside, were anticipating an exciting season for the attacker.

However, it must be said that injuries are nothing new to him, having suffered a hamstring issue at Peterborough, before doing the same in the early weeks of his spell in the capital.

It remains to be seen how long this secondary absence lasts for, but Stephan will be hoping he is fit and raring to go after the international break, although some are likely to accept the Frenchman taking a cautious approach when bringing the summer recruit back into the fold.