Chair injury 'very concerning' for QPR - Cifuentes

Ilias Chair was replaced in the 55th minutes of QPR's defeat at Middlesbrough with a hamstring injury

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes said he was "very concerned" after star player Ilias Chair picked up a hamstring injury against Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old winger missed the beginning of the season, and the whole of pre-season, with a back problem and then injured his knee after just five appearances in October.

The Moroccan has been unavailable for 12 Championship matches this season in all through injury and was replaced by Kader Dembele in the 55th minute of the 2-1 defeat at the Riverside.

"I'm very concerned, he felt his hamstring immediately and we have to do some tests, but usually these kind of situations it's going to take some time, but we'll do some scans and see what it is," Cifuentes told BBC Radio London.

Chair has made 262 appearances for the Rs since his debut in 2017.

He scored his first two goals of the season in the Hoops' most recent win - a 4-0 thrashing of Derby County in John Eustace's first game as Rams boss.

And after that game last month Cifuentes described Chair as one of the league's best players.

'A difficult time' for Rangers

Marti Cifuentes' QPR side have lost their past four Championship games

QPR have now lost four matches in a row, and five of their past six, and host promotion-chasing leaders Leeds United at Loftus Road on Saturday.

"We are sad and angry because we play against a good team. They have quality especially in the midfield to break lines but it was a game with good moments for both teams," Cifuentes added.

"I am not especially happy with the way we conceded these two goals but at the same time credit to the players, we are trying, despite adversity they are running and competing, but credit to Boro, they were good.

"It is a difficult time because we lost four in a row but I'm so proud of the reality of where we are in the league. It is tough but we need to understand where we are."

As well as Chair, QPR are currently without midfielders Sam Field and Jonathan Varane, strikers Zan Celar and Rayan Kolli and centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter.