Defender Matthew Connolly could miss the rest of the season after contracting glandular fever.
Connolly has not played since the 1-1 home draw against Peterborough and has since been diagnosed with Glandular Fever. Nigel Quashie and Marc Bircham have both suffered from the illness while at QPR and it is feared that Connolly may be out until April if the fever has penetrated his spleen. Jim Magilton told the London Informer: “We're monitoring the situation closely - but that's all I'm willing to say on the subject.”
There is better news though for Connolly’s fellow defender Gary Borrowdale who has been praised for his consistent performances by manager Jim Magilton.
Magilton told the Kilburn Times: “Gary's done well, he's getting fitter and he's looked solid. I think there is a lot more to come from him. I came in with very much an open mind. If lads come in and do well they're going to stay in the side and Gary's been given an opportunity that he's grasped. I've spoken to people who had worked with him and they gave me only good reports, so I didn't get sidetracked by what had happened to him last year.”
Elsewhere Martin Rowlands has been speaking about his call up to the Republic of Ireland squad. Rowlands has been selected ahead of Sunderland’s Andy Reid having initially lost his place in Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad to Stoke City’s Glenn Whelen. Rowlands told the Irish Examiner: “There’s no pressure on me, Andy is a good player and a good lad. I know him from previous squads but that’s nothing to do with me, what is happening between the FAI and Andy. It’s not on my agenda. Glenn played and has done really well. That’s the past and there’s no point in dwelling on things like that. It’s gone and you have to look into the future and hopefully affect that.
"If I sit and dwell on the past then I don’t think you look forward focused enough. That’s gone. I haven’t made an appearance for I think five or six years, so I’ve always been optimistic. There’s always a chance, if you are in the squad, that you can start or be involved off the bench. Those lads are obviously injured and weren’t able to make it and that gives an opportunity to somebody else. Whether that be me or somebody else, I’m sure someone will take it. I don’t think age matters. You look at people like Ryan Giggs who are possibly playing their best football at the age of 35, 36. As long as you feel fit and you’re playing well age is no real matter. Hopefully I’ve still got some good years ahead of me.”
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni told the same paper: “Andy Reid is an offensive player, Rowlands is a midfielder like Gibson who is missing. I saw the Sunderland Manchester United game and Andy Reid played well against John O’Shea. But at this moment we have a good enough squad with 25 or 26 players. We play well enough and get the results. Reid plays on the left now but we have McGeady, Hunt, Keogh and Lawrence in this position, players who play on the line with specific characteristics.”
Following his loan move to Aldershot earlier this week Antonio German has told the BBC: “I'm happy that I could gain experience and show them what I can do so I can back to QPR and they can see. First team experience is valuable so my gaffer can see what I can do. Gary Waddock is a great guy, he's seen me play before and he just recommended me to come and I'm here.”
Off the pitch, with Flavio Briatore awaiting the verdict of the Football League board meeting on Thursday that is almost certain to rule that he fails the fit and proper person test for club owners, QPR have three board members in the 2009 football rich list. Lakshmi Mittal is top with a value of £18.4bn, Bernie Ecclestone is eighth with a value of £1.466bn and Flavio Briatore is 42nd with £110m.
Elsewhere in the Championship today Bristol City’s Liam Fontaine has been ruled out for three weeks with ankle ligament damage, while Plymouth have loaned centre half Marcel Seip to Blackpool after he fell out with boss Paul Sturrock. Seip will be eligible to play against the Pilgrims when the sides meet.