‘It’s not very good’ – QPR assessing worrying Burrell injury
QPR are anxiously assessing a hamstring injury suffered by top scorer Rumarn Burrell during the 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Liam Morrison, Jonathan Varane and Kwame Poku also picked up injuries on a difficult day for Rangers despite a first win in four matches.
By the start of the second half, they had already been forced to make four changes to their original line-up.
Defender Morrison was initially named in the side but was replaced by Steve Cook after suffering a hip injury during the pre-match warm-up, and the sight of Burrell going off on 20 minutes was a worrying one for Rangers, who were dealt another blow when midfielder Varane limped off with a knee problem just before the interval.
And winger Poku, who has been hampered by injuries since his move to west London from Peterborough during the summer, did not appear for the second period.
Asked about Burrell’s injury, head coach Julien Stephan said: “I don’t know. But when you stop like this, it’s probably a hamstring, so let’s see. We will do a scan. But it’s not very good.”
Varane could also be facing a spell on the sidelines, having tried to play on before being forced to go off.
“He felt something. We don’t know exactly,” Stephan said.
“Kwame Poku felt something as well at the end of the first half and that’s why we had to change at half-time.”
Amadou Mbengue also took a knock in the closing stages, but Stephan does not believe that is a cause for concern.
“I think it will be OK. I hope. It was more fatigue,” said Stephan.
Burrell’s 14th-minute opener at Loftus Road was his 10th goal of the season.
An injury lay-off for him would be a blow for Rangers, but Rayan Kolli came on in his place and scored two late goals to seal the victory.
Burrell’s injury could lead to a run in the team for Kolli – and Stephan said he hopes the youngster can make his mark after injury problems of his own.
