Queens Park Rangers vs Barnsley. Sky Bet Championship.
Loftus Road StadiumAttendance12,413.
Friday 2 February 2018 10:59, UK
QPR winger David Wheeler has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery ahead of the visit of Barnsley.
Rangers are also without Idrissa Sylla, who has a calf problem, and Jamie Mackie after a back operation. But Paul Smyth is close to returning from a quad strain and Pawel Wszolek is fit after concussion. Grant Hall proved his fitness after a knee injury in an under-23 game and could be in contention.
Barnsley's deadline-day signings Oli McBurnie, Matt Mills and Christoph Knasmullner are all in contention to make their debuts. Striker McBurnie, on loan from Swansea, defender Mills, who joined from Nottingham Forest, and midfielder Knasmullner, a permanent signing from Austrian club Admira Wacker, could be included in the squad.
Connor Mahoney, signed on loan from Bournemouth, is also poised for his first appearance as the Reds chase just their second league win in 15 matches. Winger Lloyd Isgrove may feature after returning to full training on Friday, but defenders Zeki Fryers and Adam Jackson are still out.
QPR have won 21 and lost none of their last 24 home matches against Barnsley since losing 5-0 in January 1950.
The Tykes have lost each of their last 10 league visits to Loftus Road against QPR, last avoiding defeat in November 1999 in a 2-2 draw.
Queens Park Rangers' last four home wins have come against teams starting the day in the top four of the Championship; their last home win against a side in the bottom half of the table outside of August was in April 2017 against Nottingham Forest.
Barnsley have scored just six goals in their last 13 league games, failing to score more than once in this run.
Each of QPR's last six Championship goals have been scored by different players.
Barnsley are one of four Championship side this season to have failed to win after going behind, along with Bolton, Reading and Sunderland.
