Exclusive: QPR "problem” raised after Sam Field news | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes QPR won’t break into the play-offs now Sam Field faces a lengthy injury lay-off.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes QPR’s play-off chase has come to an end now Sam Field is unlikely to make a return for the remainder of the season.

The former West Brom midfielder, who has been an ever-present this term under Marti Cifuentes, suffered an ankle injury last month against Portsmouth, with the R’s revealing the 26-year-old will miss six to nine weeks and may not feature again during the campaign.

Field has started all 33 second tier games he’s been available for in West London, with his unrelenting energy and excellent defensive work to protect the backline giving the club the belief that they have a shot at promotion back to the Premier League.

So vital to the R’s system, it’s a body blow for QPR, who sit in 14th place in the second tier table and eight points off a top six spot.

With just 11 games to go of the season, pundit Carlton Palmer has issued his thoughts on Field’s injury, and whether QPR can still mount a charge for the play-offs.

Carlton Palmer issues damning play-off verdict after Sam Field, QPR blow

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Carlton Palmer believes QPR won’t have enough to break into the top six and says they should use this time to ensure Sam Field is fit and raring to go for next season.

Palmer said: “QPR are mid-table, and I think it’s highly unlikely they’ll mount a challenge to get in the play-offs, but they’re not in a position where they’ll be relegated either.

“It is disappointing for QPR and Sam Field given how regular he’s featured under Martin Cifuentes and the fact he’s had such a good season, and it will be a problem for QPR to deal with, but I don’t think they can get into the play-offs from the position they’re in.

“With that in mind, they can have the time to get Sam right, and if he can play any part between now and the end of the season then that will be a bonus but the aim will be to get him fit for the start of next season and hopefully the club can push on and fight for the play-offs.”

QPR to feel the effects of Sam Field absence

With QPR desperately needing consistency to have any chance of making the play-offs come the end of the season, it seems a mammoth task to achieve after losing one of their most influential assets.

A vital cog to the team in the engine room, Field has been one of the first names on the teamsheet this season and has been a key factor in QPR’s rise from the bottom of the division towards the top-half.