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

Birmingham City's second reign under Gary Rowett begins with a trip to Loftus Road to face QPR on Friday, Saturday 29.

The 2023/24 Championship season is on pause at the minute because of the international break and the scheduling of it all is far from ideal. Players will be away with their respective countries until Tuesday, March 26 and won't get many days of training in before an Easter double header.

Blues' game against the Hoops is huge given the closeness between them, QPR and the other teams battling to avoid the drop. Here's the latest injury and team news before the game.

Birmingham City team news

Alfie Chang will have seen six different managers and four permanent bosses since suffering a season-ending injury. Chang was sidelined in August with a knee problem.

Krystian Bielik has missed the past few games with a torn stomach muscle. He's expected to come back after the international break but he might be eased back in.

Marc Roberts has been dealing with a calf injury problem that has remerged once again. He was sidelined in December with the issue, and had to come off against Middlesbrough.

Siriki Dembele missed the past few games after suffering a foot injury. He was seen limping around the training ground before Watford, but hopefully the international break will give him time to recover.

Keshi Anderson has struggled to make the past few match day squads and now an injury has emerged. He's got a knee problem, though it is expected to be resolved by the time they play QPR.

Out: Alfie Chang. Doubt: Krystian Bielik, Marc Roberts, Siriki Dembele and Keshi Anderson.

QPR team news

QPR are set to be without Taylor Richards who hasn't had much game time this season. The 23-year-old has played just five times this term and his last outing came in mid-December.

Richards is nursing a calf injury and it is unsure whether he will return in time to face Birmingham. He hasn't been part of a match day squad since the Boxing Day defeat to Millwall.

“Taylor got an injury in his calf on the last day in January," revealed manager Marti Cifuentes to West London Sport.

"He’s on his way back. It was actually quite a big muscular injury and he’s recovering from that.”

He added: “We’re taking it week by week at this moment. It’s now getting to the last stage of the injury but it still might take some weeks – it’s difficult to say how many.

“We’re assessing him every week with the medical staff to make sure that when he’s back that’s he’s 100% ready to help the team.“

Morrocan midfielder Ilias Chair was replaced in the 63rd minute for Wolves loanee Joe Hodge. It was a move that left some fans questioning the decision whilst another suggested he was nursing a knock.

Right-winger Rayan Kolli hasn't played a game for QPR since January. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign which has seen him make 10 appearances, but is contending with an injury.

Out: Taylor Richards. Doubtful: Ilias Chair and Rayan Kolli.