Former Sunderland defender to miss Black Cats' game against QPR

A former Sunderland player will be missing from the QPR line-up when the two sides meet at Loftus Road.

QPR will be without former Sunderland defender Jake Clarke-Salter when they face Sunderland on Tuesday.

The centre-back had a largely disastrous loan spell with the Black Cats in the 2017/18 season, with him being part of the squad that was relegated to League One.

He joined QPR in the summer on a long-term deal, although he has started just 12 games this season due to a string of injury problems.

There is no sign of those issues going away any time soon either, with him not facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“It’s a calf injury and he won’t back in the short term, that’s for certain,” said QPR boss Neil Critchley.

Critchley is under mounting pressure himself with the Rs sliding down the table since he replaced Mick Beale in the dugout.

They go into the game against Sunderland in 16th position in the Championship and a defeat could see their fading play-off hopes all but evaporate.

“It’s a results business and we have to accept responsibility for the results we’re picking up at the moment, which aren’t good enough,” Critchley said after their 2-1 home defeat to Millwall.

“It’s clear we need to do better. But I saw a team today fighting on the pitch right until the end and the supporters stayed with us all the way.”

Critchley was appointed at Loftus Road in December and he is still looking for his first home win since taking over. 

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