Johnson and new signings likely to miss out

QPR striker Andy Johnson looks likely to miss Saturday’s game against Birmingham City along with new signings Niko Kranjcar and Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Former Blues star Johnson is again struggling with a knee problem, while Kranjcar is recovering from a slight injury and left-back Assou-Ekotto is short of match fitness having not featured for Tottenham prior to his recent loan move to Loftus Road.

But another recent arrival, Matt Phillips, has been included in the squad following a broken arm and is in line to make his Rangers debut, probably as a second-half substitute.

“One or two are a bit away from fitness,” said manager Harry Redknapp.

“Benoir hasn’t played a single game for Tottenham this season and is still short of fitness. Niko has had a bit of an injury and also hasn’t played.

“They are signings I think can be great for us but they’re not quite where we want them to be yet in terms of fitness, so it’ll be another week or two.”

Midfielder Tom Carroll, also signed on loan from Spurs before the transfer window closed, is another player in contention to make his debut.

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