QPR boss Cifuentes hails Clarke-Salter

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QPR boss Marti Cifuentes says the recent high-class performances of Jake Clarke-Salter should come as no surprise and is hopeful the centre-back has put his injury woes behind him.

The 26-year-old, who won three FA Youth Cups with Chelsea and played in the England side that lifted the Under-20 World Cup in 2017, was once tipped to be the long-term successor to John Terry after making his Premier League debut for the Blues when he was 18.


But Clarke-Salter’s career has been blighted with injuries during a series of loans to Championship clubs from Chelsea, and since signing for Rangers at the start of last season he has made just 26 appearances.

However, since being restored to the starting line-up by Cifuetnes, Rangers have kept two clean sheets and he was integral to the team’s dramatic 4-2 win over Stoke when he was introduced in the second half of the game.

“I knew Jake already from his time (on loan) at Birmingham because Xavi Calm my assistant was working at Birmingham for a lot of his games,” Cifuentes said.

“We knew of his quality so I am not surprised about the level of performances he has had over the last few games.

“But at the same time we need to realise he came from a period when I first arrived where he was coming back from an injury.

“But we have a fantastic medical department and physios who have all contributed to give me a good picture on what are the risks and opportunities for each player on weeks like this.

“That all contributes to the puzzle because it’s about keeping the mood of the squad and my way of coaching is always to give people the opportunities to show and play in games.

“But there is no doubt he is a very important player for us and we want him to be fit and be in as many games as he can.”