Cook sidelined but Obikwu could be an option for QPR soon

Steve Cook is set to miss QPR’s game at Leicester.

The defender went off during the midweek defeat at Birmingham and could be facing a spell on the sidelines.

Rangers expect to know more about the extent of Cook’s injury in the coming days, but he will almost certainly miss Saturday’s match.

Julien Stephan said on Friday: “He had an assessment this morning. We don’t know exactly the result of the scan but it will probably be too short for tomorrow and let’s see what happens after.”

Winger Kwame Poku, who returned to action when he came off the bench at Birmingham, is expected to again feature as a substitute against the Foxes.

Head coach Stephan previously suggested that Kwame would need to be eased back carefully following his injury lay-off.

“My communication at Kwame (at Birmingham) was very simple – very clear,” Stephan explained.

“I said to him: ‘We need your motivation and we need your quality. Bring that on the pitch, no pressure, just enjoy the moment and bring your fresh legs and fresh mindset.

“Of course he did well on Wednesday, but it’s always the same process – it’s not that he did well for 20 or 25 minutes so is able to start now.

“He will have a role tomorrow as well as an impact player, continue to have this role, and we need to continue to build him physically and mentally in order to be ready to start.”

Meanwhile, Stephan believes striker Justin Obikwu could be available for next weekend’s home game against Portsmouth.

Obikwu has not featured since being signed from Coventry City almost two months ago.

He was brought in after top scorer Rumarn Burrell suffered a hamstring injury, but Obikwu picked up a shin injury in training soon after his move and has himself been out since.

“Justin Obikwu trained a little part of the session this morning,” said Stephan.

“If he does a normal week next week perhaps he can be an option for the next game.”