QPR vs Birmingham City injury news - as three out and five doubts for Championship six-pointer

Birmingham City make a dramatic return from the international break as Gary Rowett prepares for his second managerial debut – a crucial Sky Bet Championship clash away at Queens Park Rangers on Good Friday.

Facing another relegation six-pointer in the capital just a few weeks after the 1-0 defeat at Millwall, Blues will be desperate to return to winning ways. Four defeats in the last five leave Birmingham merely two goal difference above 22nd-placed Huddersfield Town, while Sheffield Wednesday are one point below in 23rd.

QPR, the team directly above Blues in the Championship standings, were in the relegation zone at the start of February but back-to-back wins over Rotherham United and Leicester City soar them surge away. Well-earned draws against West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland have helped, too.

Rowett getting off to a dream second start as Blues boss will be challenging, especially as the Rs know a win could move them as high as 16th in the table. Here's how both teams fare on the injury news front, with Birmingham at a disadvantage before a ball is even kicked.

Birmingham team news

Blues will definitely be without two players for the trip to Loftus Road, whereas four others are doubts. Alfie Chang, a season-long absentee with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, is the first guaranteed to miss out. Marc Roberts is the other as the experienced defender has endured another calf setback.

Siriki Dembele and Keshi Anderson, who have foot and knee problems respectively, face late fitness tests having used the international break to get back up to speed. Defensive midfielder Krystian Bielik, with a torn stomach muscle, is in a similar position.

Club legend Lukas Jutkiewicz fell awkwardly during the 1-0 defeat to Watford before the international break, injuring his knee. Mark Venus was unsure of the extent of the problem. Jutkiewicz has since been assessed but there's been no official updates, making him a doubt.

Out: Alfie Chang, Marc Roberts. Doubtful: Siriki Dembele, Keshi Anderson, Krystian Bielik, Lukas Jutkiewicz.

QPR team news

The Hoops are in better shape ahead of Friday afternoon, with just one certain absentee. Fans were a little anxious when Ilias Chair was substituted in the 63rd minute away at Sunderland but those concerns can now be eased as the Moroccan starred in a surprise 4-0 behind-closed-doors win over Arsenal.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion man Taylor Richards, who was briefly loaned to Birmingham during the 2021/22 campaign, has played just 144 minutes this term. Injuries have stumped his progress, with a calf tear the last issue. The 23-year-old is the one guaranteed to miss out.

"He's on his way back. It was quite a big muscular issue and he's recovering. We’re taking it week by week. 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," QPR boss Marti Cifuentes told West London Sport on March 14.

Algeria Under-20 international Rayan Kolli is still recovering from an issue suffered after the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City on January 1. There have been few updates and he's a doubt as a result.

Out: Taylor Richards. Doubtful: Rayan Kolli.