Cifuentes pressed on absence of QPR forward Kolli

Marti Cifuentes insists “nothing has changed” in his attitude towards Rayan Kolli despite the young forward’s recent absence from the QPR squad.

Kolli, 19, started Rangers’ opening match of the season but has not been involved since coming on as a late substitute against Plymouth almost two months ago.

He was also absent from a recently-published photograph of the squad and club staff.

Kolli did appear in a picture issued of the development squad – which was taken a week later.

QPR expected him to also be in the first-team squad photo but he was not present when it was taken. Head coach Cifuentes says he does not know why.

Cifuentes said: “He was supposed to be there and he was not.”

Asked why not, the head coach replied: “I don’t know.”

Kolli, a product of Rangers’ academy, has made 12 Championship appearances – all but one of them as a substitute. He has recently been in action for Algeria’s Under-20 side.

His QPR contract is due to expire next summer. There have been discussions about a new deal.

“He did really well during the international break with Algeria, scoring some goals,” said Cifuentes.

“I think he’s talented and that’s why he’s been in the first team many times since I’ve been here, and nothing has changed.”

Meanwhile, QPR midfielder Jack Colback faces several more weeks on the sidelines after underdoing surgery on a knee injury.

But Jake Clarke-Salter, who was out with a calf problem prior to the recent international break, has been passed fit for Saturday’s home match against Portsmouth.