Birmingham City v QPR injury news as six ruled out and two doubts

Birmingham City have to quickly put their midweek disappointment at Preston North End behind them as they host QPR at St Andrews on Friday night, and there’s some positive team news.

Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat to the league leaders with Krystian Bielik scoring an own-goal. The Hoops meanwhile rescued a point late on as Lyndon Dykes scored a stoppage-time equaliser against Swansea City at Loftus Road.

Below is the latest team and injury news ahead of Birmingham City vs QPR in the EFL Championship

Birmingham City team news

Lee Buchanan and Lukas Jutkiewicz are both available for selection on Friday after serving their respective suspensions. Buchanan had a one game ban following two yellow card offences against Watford, meanwhile Jutkiewicz was banned for three games following an incident against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.

Buchanan had started all six of Blues matches before his suspension and in his place was Emmanuel Longelo but the 22-year-old should come back in to the starting eleven. Scott Hogan has been the preferred striker up front this season but at least Jutkiewicz gives John Eustace a different option.

Two players who won't be returning however are Ethan Laird (hamstring) and Tyler Roberts (calf) who have both suffered set-backs. Both had been described as 'touch and go' for last weekends trip to Vicarage Road but are now a 'couple of weeks' away and won’t be risked given their history with injuries.

Siriki Dembele is closing on a return however and trained on Monday ahead of the trip to Preston. He suffered a hamstring injury against Bristol City, but will be given every chance to feature on Friday.

Academy graduate George Hall (hamstring) who signed a new contract is unavailable and is likely to return in October. Alfie Chang (knee) is Blues' long-term absentee after sustaining his injury in training and the extent of his ACL issue is likely to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Out: Alfie Chang, Ethan Laird, George Hall, Tyler Roberts. Doubtful: Siriki Dembele.

QPR team news

QPR are set to be without Jimmy Dunne (shoulder) who has not made a recovery from an injury sustained in pre-season. He was stretchered off against Oxford United back in July and a return date of September 30 has been pencilled in for the defender.

Jack Colback received a straight red card against Sunderland last weekend and should be absent for Friday’s trip to the Midlands. He missed the match against Swansea, though the length of his ban has not yet been confirmed.

Back-up goalkeeper Jordan Archer meanwhile missed last weekend through illness and was not amongst the substitutes on Tuesday night, and so remains a doubt.

Reggie Cannon - linked with a move to Birmingham - is set to join QPR as a free agent. Right-back Cannon had interest from Birmingham, West Brom, Burnley and Stoke City but Blues opted to sign Cody Drameh, and so they could be lining up against a player that was linked with them.

Out: Jack Colback and Jimmy Dunne. Doubtful: Jordan Archer