QPR midfielder Sandro ruled out of trip to Southampton after suffering injury - by sliding on his knees to celebrate a goal in training

The £10m summer signing will miss the match against Saints but his bemusing injury isn't believed to be long-term

QPR midfielder Sandro (Getty Images)

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Sandro has suffered a fresh knee injury after sliding on his knees while celebrating a goal…in training.

The Brazilian midfielder has had a history with injuries that have ruled him out for long periods, and manager Harry Redknapp is furious with how the latest knock came about.

“It was a stupid injury,” said Redknapp. “He scored a goal in training and slid on his knee like a lot of players do. I don’t know why players do it.

“The pitch was bone dry so he skidded. His knee has gone bang into the turf and I watched him trying to get up wondering ‘what’s he done here?’ Sure enough he wasn’t fit for Saturday.

“I couldn’t believe it. He had a knee operation at Tottenham last year which kept him out for quite a while. It was a setback for us and I wouldn’t recommend anyone sliding on their knees. It’s absolutely crazy.”

Sandro moved to Loftus Road last month in a £10m deal that saw him link up with his former Tottenham manager after falling down the pecking order at White Hart Lane in recent years, and current manager Mauricio Pochettino made it clear that the 25-year-old was not a part of his plans.

The midfielder’s arrival at QPR had prompted optimism among Rangers supporters that he would help bring quality to a team aiming for Premier League survival having won promotion back to the top flight last season.

However, Redknapp’s plans to keep Rangers up have been hit by numerous injuries, predominantly to his midfielders, and means that he has just two available for this weekend’s trip to Southampton which Sandro will miss.

“I started the season with six central midfielders and now have [Alejandro] Faurlin, Sandro, [Joey] Barton and [Jordan] Mutch all injured,” added Redknapp. “It’s a bit of a problem for us. I just have Leroy Fer and Karl Henry to be fit for Saturday against Southampton.”