QPR boss leaves question mark over Dykes future

Lyndon Dykes joined QPR from Livingston in August 2020

Head coach Marti Cifuentes admitted that "I don't know" whether Lyndon Dykes will remain a Queens Park Rangers player after the Scotland striker was absent from his squad for Saturday's Championship visit by Plymouth Argyle.

The 28-year-old came on as a substitute to score and rescue a point for 10-man QPR in last weekend's 2-2 draw away to Sheffield United.

But he watched from the stand as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home despite their opponents this time being the ones ending the game down two men.

Asked why Dykes, who is not injured, was left out, Cifuentes said: "I just pick players based on availability. He wasn't available."

Pressed on whether he expects Dykes to still be a QPR player after the transfer window closes next week, the Spaniard said: "I don't know."

The Australia-born striker has played 165 times for QPR, scoring 37 times, since signing from Livingston in August 2020.

Dykes had been on the bench for the first three fixtures this season, coming on midway through the second half in their 2-1 League Cup win away to Cambridge United.

As his absence was not due to injury, he should be available for selection to Steve Clarke's national squad for next month's Nations League double header against Poland and Portugal.

Speculation about his future comes as fellow Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet joined Aberdeen on loan after falling out of favour at Championship club Millwall.

Meanwhile, amid newspaper speculation linking both midfielders with Napoli, Billy Gilmour started for Brighton & Hove Albion in their Premier League win over Manchester United, for whom Scott McTominay was a late substitute.

And Scotland centre-half Liam Cooper was a guest of former club Hull City on Saturday as the 32-year-old seeks new employers after leaving Championship rivals Leeds United.