Poku ‘needs more time’ before QPR return

Kwame Poku is set to make another appearance for QPR’s development side on Friday.

Poku and Ilias Chair this week returned to action after injury lay-offs, featuring for the development side in a match against Bournemouth.

Chair subsequently made his first-team return, coming on as a second-half substitute in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Swansea.

But it was felt that summer signing Poku, out since going off against Preston on the opening day of the season, needs more game time before being considered for a place in Julian Stephan’s squad.

He will therefore play against Cardiff City’s Under-21s rather than travel with the first team to this weekend’s game at Derby County.

Head coach Stephan explained: “He played 45 minutes for the dev squad on Monday like Ilias, but he needs more playing time so he will play tonight – probably between 60 and 70 minutes, to increase the level physically.

“He needs that at this moment. Then after that we will have a full week (of training) next week and let’s see after that how we will manage the situation.”

Meanwhile, Stephan has again played down the significance of Jake Clarke-Salter going off injured while playing for QPR’s development side.