Cifuentes praises Dembele and Saito after QPR comeback

Marti Cifuentes praised Karamoko Dembele and Koki Saito after both new signings helped QPR come back tom two down to draw 2-2 at Sheffield United.

Saito set up fellow substitute Lyndon Dykes for Rangers’ late equaliser at Bramall Lane.

“We signed him because he has this capacity one-v-one in the last third,” said R’s head coach Cifuentes.

“He’s very dynamic and can use both feet, so he’s not easy for defenders to defend against – he can go both sides.

“He’s good at making assists and breaking lines as well, so I’m happy for him.

“I think him and Kara had a good influence in the game despite them playing more minutes than was the plan.”

Dembele, who started the game, also did well on his debut, worrying the hosts with his skill and pace – and delivering a corner for Jimmy Dunne to pull a goal back with a header.

Cifuentes said: “Kara was very good in the minutes he was on the pitch.  He showed excellent things.

“I’m very satisfied with both of them. They are very good players and will hopefully help us a lot.

On a less positive note for Rangers, Cifuentes confirmed that Ilias Chair faces several more weeks on the sidelines with a back injury.

West London Sport had revealed that the club feared the results of an assessment due on Friday would bring bad news.

And Lucas Andersen could also be out for some time after going off against the Blades with what looked like a groin injury.

“We don’t know yet. He felt some soreness in the groin area so probably it’s a muscular issue,” Cifuentes said.