Clarke-Salter could return to QPR squad for Oxford game
Jake Clarke-Salter could be included in QPR’s squad for Wednesday’s home match against Oxford United.
The former Chelsea defender, who recently turned 28, has been plagued by injuries since being signed in 2022.
Clarke-Salter has not played since undergoing hip surgery in January.
But he recently resumed full training and there is a chance he will be brought into the squad for at least one of Rangers’ two matches before the next international break.
He will be assessed on Tuesday before a decision is made on whether to include him this week.
“It’s a possibility, but we need to see tomorrow in the last training session,” explained head coach Julien Stephan.
“We will see tomorrow with the last training session what is the situation, but he is close to coming back. It could be against Oxford, Bristol City or after the international break.
“With Jake it is not only a question of one game, it’s more a question of which plan for him for the next weeks and months.
“What is the best plan for him and what is the best choice for us to give him the best opportunity to stay on the pitch for a long time?”
Clarke-Salter was in excellent form prior to his latest injury lay-off.
And Stephan is optimistic the player will make an impact when he returns to action.
The Frenchman said: “With good management of his (training and game-time) load, I think he is able to come back very strong – physically and mentally.
“He could be a big strength for us for the future because we know he’s a very good defender, left-footed – and we don’t have a left-footed centre-back, so it makes a big difference in terms of angles and passes.
“But we need to be patient as well with him. We want to give him the confidence that he needs.”
Rangers had hoped that Ilias Chair and Kwame Poke would be back before the international break, but they are now on course to return for the game against Millwall on 18 October.
With his team playing three times in the space of seven days, Stephan is considering making some changes against Oxford.
Kader Dembele is pushing for a starting place, having been lively after coming on as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.
The Brazilian Football Confederation recently expressed an interest in calling up Esquerdinha for the Under-20 World Cup, but QPR were reluctant to give their blessing as he is currently the club’s only natural cover for the on-loan Rhys Norrington-Davies at left-back.
Rangers’ Australian duo Daniel Bennie and Jaylan Pearman are at the tournament in Chile along with South African defender Tylon Smith.
