QPR V Milton Keynes Dons at Loftus Road Stadium : Match Preview

25 January 2013 16:01
QPR V Milton Keynes Dons - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Remy doubtful for cup clash

QPR striker Loic Remy is a doubt for the FA Cup tie against MK Dons because of a tight hamstring.

Esteban Granero and Armand Traore (both hamstring) return, but Junior Hoilett, who also has a hamstring strain, is out while Ryan Nelsen will be rested.

Samba Diakite is at the African Nations Cup, Jose Bosingwa (back) is out and Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip) are long-term injuries.

Meanwhile, manager Harry Redknapp has refused to concede defeat in his battle to keep defender Ryan Nelsen for as long as possible.

Nelsen has been appointed head coach of Toronto FC and the Major League Soccer club expect him to start work on February 1, ensuring Tuesday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City will be his final game for Rangers.

When the 35-year-old announced at the start of the month that he would be leaving, Redknapp expected to keep a player he values highly until the latter stages of their relegation battle.

While he is resigned to losing him far sooner, he wants the New Zealand international to be available for the crucial showdown with Norwich at Loftus Road on February 2.

"I need to speak to Ryan, I need him here for the Norwich game," said Redknapp.

"I thought we were talking March 1 when I spoke to Ryan last. Suddenly this has all changed. I'm hoping we can put it back a few days.

"He's been away all week in Canada doing some work for his new club I need him next week - we're desperately short and I need Ryan to play.

"He's got a job to go to and wants to crack on with that. He felt it's an opportunity that may never come along for him again.

"I can understand where he's coming from because it's his future, but I wish he was staying because there haven't been too many better players than him here this year."

Redknapp will play a weakened team against the npower League One.

"You want to keep winning, that is the key. We've had a five-game unbeaten run and want to continue that," he said.

"But we have Manchester City on Tuesday and Norwich the following Saturday, so the squad will get used, and that's no disrespect to MK Dons."

The visitors will travel with a depleted squad.

The Milton Keynes club, in the fourth round for the first time in their short history, will definitely be without cup-tied striker Izale McLeod and injured midfielders Stephen Gleeson (broken foot) and Luke Chadwick (knee).

Boss Karl Robinson also has concerns over the fitness of leading scorer Dean Bowditch and midfielders Daniel Powell and Ryan Harley.

Ahead of the tie, Robinson said: "We'll be down to the bare bones. We're going to be without four or five key players, but we've been used to that in recent weeks and we're looking forward to the challenge."

However, Robinson's midfield options have been boosted by the loan arrival of Chris Lines and the Sheffield Wednesday player is likely to make his Dons debut against the Premier League club.

Source: PA