Injuries hurting QPR, says Warburton

Mark Warburton admitted QPR’s injuries are taking their toll following the defeat at home to Stoke.

The Potters, also affected by injuries, won 2-0 at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where Charlie Austin’s second-half penalty was saved by keeper Adam Davies.

Manager Warburton wants to bring in new signings when the transfer window reopens next month.

But he insisted that naming just six substitutes was not an attempt to show the club’s board that reinforcements are needed.

Striker Lyndon Dykes and wing-backs Lee Wallace, Albert Adomah, Sam McCallum and Moses Odubajo are among those sidelined.

Warburton said: “We’ve got a squad of 22. I couldn’t name all the subs today. That wasn’t a statement, it was just a fact. Simple as that.

“Injuries hurt today. We’ve lost four wing-backs and had six players out.

“We were light, but that’s the Championship and you have to deal with it.”

Rangers had scored in their previous 31 league games and were closing in on the club record of 33.

But Austin’s miss from the spot proved costly and the defeat was their first in seven matches.

“Players are human. No-one means to miss a penalty and Charlie had scored his last 15,” Warburton said.

“We had a couple of really good chances after that. Those are the moments that define matches and we have to recognise that.

“I think you saw us try to force it in the second half. Don’t force it – we’ve got enough quality to keep moving the ball.

“In the first half we were moving the ball well – and when you move the ball well the opposing team is working constantly.

“When you shift them, so many times they make a mistake and you can capitalise on it. That’s what good teams do, but we stopped doing it.

“I just felt today that in the final third we lacked that little bit of real guile to go and win the game.”