Stephan vows to support Poku after QPR winger suffers another injury

Julien Stephan pledged QPR’s support for Kwame Poku after the winger suffered another injury.

Poku, recently back after the second of two hamstring injuries that have marred his first season at Rangers, limped off during the first half of the 2-1 defeat at home against Swansea.

Head coach Stephan said: “I don’t know exactly what the situation is but it’s never a good sign when you stop like that.

“I haven’t spoken with the performance staff yet, but it’s probably a muscle injury and if it’s a muscle injury this is finished for the season.

“Now for him it’s about recovering and restarting next season in the best condition. This will be the challenge for Kwame and we have to support him because it (being injured) was very hard for him.

“We will support him of course, because he needs support now.”

Ronald scored in the second minute after Steve Cook and Rhys Norrington-Davies had got in each other’s way.

And Zan Vipotnik doubled Swansea’s lead with a late penalty after Eom Ji-Sung had been brought down by young defender Tylon Smith.

Norrington-Davies pulled one back with his first Rangers goal, heading in the loose ball after it had bounced up and hit the bar after keeper Lawrence Vigoroux had saved Paul Smyth’s shot.

Veteran defender Cook was making his 100th and final appearance for Rangers.

“I don’t want to think about that (mistake) with Steve Cook,” said Stephan.

“I want to think about the relationship that we had this season, what he did in the dressing room for the players, what he did for the club the last three years, how he played this season.

“I want to remember that with Steve Cook and not the first goal we conceded today, because Cookie was an important player for us this season, on the pitch, off the pitch, and a top professional as well.

“So I want to wish him the best for the future and thank him.”

Smith, who gave away a penalty against Middlesbrough last month shortly after coming on for his league debut, conceded another spot-kick after being introduced for his second appearance, although the foul occurred outside the box.

“It’s the first time in my career I concede a penalty like this – one or two metres outside the penalty area,” said Stephan.

“It’s unbelievable. I think the referee was very far away. It’s crazy. It had huge impact on the result.”