QPR defender Amadou Mbengue is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 24-year-old had to be stretchered off the pitch late on during QPR’s 4-1 win over Derby last week and tests have now confirmed the club’s worst fears.
Mbengue will undergo surgery before spending a significant period on the sidelines.
Mbengue is a popular member of QPR’s dressing room and has played 53 times for the west London club since signing from Reading last summer.
QPR manager Julien Stephan was notably distressed when asked about Mbengue’s injury following his side’s victory over Derby.
“I have a mix of emotions, because I’m very happy of course with the win but very sad with Amadou’s situation and his injury,” said Stephan.
“We don’t know exactly what the situation is with his knee, but it’s never good to see a player like this come off with a lot of pain. It’s never a good sign.
“Now we have to fight for Amadou (against Birmingham) on Saturday. This is the message that I wanted to deliver to the players.
“We have to keep our energy very positive and our mindset very positive, and use our sadness for Amadou on Saturday and fight for him.
“Normally, when you play a game like this and you score four, you are very happy and very positive – and I have to be very positive about the way we played.
“Unfortunately we had the Amadou situation and that’s why it’s a mix of feelings for us.”