QPR defender Dunne set to miss at least a couple of weeks

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QPR defender Jimmy Dunne is set to miss at least two weeks of action following the knee injury he sustained at Luton on Saturday.

Dunne collided with goalkeeper Seny Dieng as the pair tried to prevent the Hatters’ second goal in the 3-1 defeat.

Although the centre-back appears to have escaped a serious injury, Rangers boss Mick Beale believes he will be out for the remainder of this month.


“Jimmy’s situation is that we still think it is a contact injury but there is still some swelling there and it’s a case of that coming down and seeing where he is,” Beale said.

“He’s walking about now. He is tough, Jimmy, so you expect that, but we are going to miss him for a couple weeks. But with Rob (Dickie), Jake (Clarke-Salter) and Leon (Balogun) we have plenty of cover there.

“We have that big week (in November) where we go from Norwich, to West Brom to Huddersfield and up to Coventry. I would I like to see him back before that.

“We won’t rush him though, because the big thing for Jimmy is his peace of mind.

“He has been excellent this season and made a big impact on me as his new manager. He needs to know he doesn’t lose anything being injured – we just want him back fit and healthy as soon as possible.”

Balogun has been passed fit after hurting his back in the opening minute of the game at Kenilworth Road and will be included in the squad to face Cardiff, with Ethan Laird also set to return to the starting line-up after being rested on Saturday because of muscle tightness.

Young striker Sinclair Armstrong will also be included in the matchday squad after being passed fit following a thigh injury he picked up last month.

And Beale says Chris Willock could return to action against Birmingham next Friday at St Andrew’s.

“He’s been out the last couple of days and is looking good,” Beale said.

“He is going to be back on schedule and I would assume being very close to playing at Birmingham. If not there then definitely the midweek trip to Norwich.”

Meanwhile, Beale insists he will not be distracted by reports linking him with the manager’s job at Wolves.