Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

QPR striker Loic Remy will not be risked says Harry Redknapp

Striker is doubtful for match against Swansea

Simon Peach
Friday 08 February 2013 14:28 GMT
Comments
Joe Cole's first West Ham goal for 10 years earned the hosts a deserved point as Loic Remy was denied a dream debut for QPR
Joe Cole's first West Ham goal for 10 years earned the hosts a deserved point as Loic Remy was denied a dream debut for QPR

QPR striker Loic Remy will not play at Swansea tomorrow unless Harry Redknapp is convinced the big-money January signing is fully fit.

Having missed out on deadline-day moves for Peter Crouch and Peter Odemwingie, much of the west Londoners' survival hopes are pinned on the France international.

The Rs missed the former Marseille forward's firepower last weekend as they were held to a goalless draw by Norwich at Loftus Road, leaving the bottom-placed side six points adrift of safety.

It emerged that Remy suffered a groin injury in the build-up to the Canaries' visit and, after reports he could miss two months, it came to light he only suffered a strain.

The 26-year-old could therefore return tomorrow at Swansea, but Redknapp will not use him if there is the slightest chance of the injury worsening.

"I am not sure about Loic Remy," he said. "We'll have a look at him today. It is sort of touch and go.

"He did his groin as it was muddy out there. He went to play a ball and stretched and felt his groin tweak. We weren't sure how bad it was but it is not that bad.

"The doctor said all along he felt it was only a minor injury there so he has got a chance tomorrow, but if he is not sure he is okay I wouldn't take a chance.

"With injuries like that, you can go and lose somebody for five and six weeks if they tear it so unless he feels very confident about it I wouldn't risk him.

"I don't think I can afford to do that because he could put himself out for quite a while."

Remy's return would be a huge boost for a QPR side still ruing Adel Taarabt's failure from the penalty spot against Norwich.

The Moroccan was denied by a Mark Bunn save and admitted he has had some sleepless night since.

"I didn't sleep well either," Redknapp said. "It is funny that.

"Adel is fine. He will get over that. He cares and people that don't know Adel think he is a bit scatty or whatever, but he is very serious about everything.

"It bothers him obviously and he cares. He felt that he let people down, which he didn't. He took a penalty and everybody misses penalties at some time.

"At least he has got the nerve to step up and take it so there are no problems."

The draw, though, was clearly a missed opportunity for a QPR side rooted to the bottom of the table.

"If you look at it, we're unbeaten in five," Redknapp said. "That has got to be positive, against very difficult teams.

"If you look at them, Norwich maybe is the one you had a good chance to win at home.

"The other games away to Chelsea, home to Man City, away to West Ham, home to Tottenham - very, very, very difficult games.

"They were games, in all honesty, if you looked at them you'd think if you get four or five points out of them you've done well.

"We did better than that. We took seven points so we're in good form."

QPR will have to put in another good display at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow if they are to extend that run against Swansea.

"They have done fantastically," Redknapp said of the Capital One Cup finalists.

"They play great football - they were excellent last year and have been playing like that for a few years.

"This year they have been absolutely top class again. I think they've even take it onto another level."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in