Beale savours QPR win and reveals ‘huge relief’ over Willock injury

QPR boss Mick Beale hailed Lyndon Dykes and revealed good news on injured talisman Chris Willock after the 2-1 victory over Reading.

Dykes ended a 10-game drought by scoring twice, with his late penalty securing a third consecutive R’s win and taking them to third in the table.

Beale also praised Osman Kakay, who set up Dykes’ equaliser, and on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, who won the penalty.

Beale said. “There were three players tonight who stuck out.

“Ozzy I’m delighted for, coming on and getting the assist, Tim playing his first 90 minutes at Championship level and I thought he was excellent – gets us the penalty – but obviously tonight is about Lyndon.

“I’m delighted for him because I’ve sat here a few times when it’s been about Lyndon for other reasons, so I’m really pleased with him tonight.

“He carries it (not scoring) around his neck more than people realise and he gives us everything he’s got.”

Dykes was recalled because Willock suffered another hamstring injury during the midweek win at leaders Sheffield United.

Willock had hamstring surgery in March and Rangers struggled badly without him, so feared the worst.

However, a scan has indicated that he could be back within three weeks.

Beale explained: “It’s quite positive with Chris – it’s as positive as it can be.

“It’s probably a three-week injury if everything heals perfectly. So don’t hold me to it, but if everything heals perfectly then it’s probably three weeks.

“It’s a huge relief – just for the boy, because I know the mental torture he went through getting back from that injury.

“But the star of QPR must be the team – and that’s what has jumped out at me this week.

“It’s disappointing to have Chris out but it gives opportunities to others and Lyndon has taken his.”

Kakay came on for Ethan Laird, who went off with a hamstring problem in the first half.

But the on-loan Manchester United right-back does not appear to have suffered a serious injury.

Beale said: “He was close to me and said he was feeling a bit of tightness, so obviously I’m not going to mess around with that.

“I don’t think it’s anything more than that at the moment. He hasn’t pulled anything. We’ll have to assess it, obviously, in the coming days.

“But when he came off he just said to me: ‘Mick, it feels a bit tight’ and obviously after the schedule we’ve had it wasn’t worth the risk.”

Meanwhile, Reading manager Paul Ince questioned the decision to award the penalty for a foul on Iroegbunam by Mamadou Loum.

“I’m not sure it’s a penalty,” Ince said.

“The geezer’s running at a hundred miles an hour and he’s waiting for contact and goes over.

“It’s disappointing the way we lost it in the 87th minute when the game looked like it was fizzling out. I really am frustrated.”