Cifuentes not 'playing doctor' on Cook injury

Marti Cifuentes is unsure how serious Steve Cook's injury is

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes said he would not "play doctor" and predict the severity of the injury to Hoops captain Steve Cook.

The 33-year-old centre-back was injured in his side's 2-1 comeback victory over Preston North End at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead in controversial fashion when Milutin Osmajic scored past Rangers keeper Paul Nardi with Cook down with what looked like a serious injury.

Rayan Kolli equalised early in the second half before Jimmy Dunne's third goal of the season in the 89th minute earned the home side a crucial three points that moved them up to 14th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Cifuentes said he did not know the severity of Cook's injury, with his skipper due to have a scan on Sunday.

"That's the only negative part - that we got another injury," he said.

"I don't want to play doctor. Let's see the test. He felt an acute pain.

"It seems it's the sole – a soft-tissue issue. We need to make some tests. I've spoken with him and we're not sure if it's going to be a big one or not, but he was in some pain."

Cifuentes has been hampered with injuries to key players, such as Ilias Chair, Kader Dembele, Michael Frey, Jake Clarke-Salter and Jack Colback for much of this season.

Frey returned from the bench on Saturday in a welcome sight for QPR, while Zan Celar remains out injured.

Rangers have now gone seven games unbeaten and travel to Swansea City on Boxing Day.