QPR manager Neil Critchley has confirmed a big boost for the Hoops ahead of their Boxing Day fixture against Cardiff City, with Ilias Chair now available for selection.
The winger will return from Qatar this week after Morocco sensationally reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, with the former Stevenage man making his World Cup debut in their third-place play-off defeat against Croatia last weekend.
It is undoubtedly a big boost for Critchley to have the 25-year-old back at Loftus Road, as he has arguably been the top performer in QPR’s squad so far this season.
Chair’s three goals and six assists in the Championship has helped him to average a superb 7.17 rating from WhoScored, which comfortably ranks him as the best in the Hoops’ squad, so they will be hoping that he can rediscover his pre-World Cup form upon his return to club action.
Although the west London outfit secured an impressive 1-0 win over Preston North End in Critchley’s first game in charge last weekend, it seems likely that Chair could return alongside Chris Willock and Lyndon Dykes in attack.
Ahead of the Moroccan’s return for QPR, Critchley said: “I’m delighted for Ilias. He loves to play football and I’m sure it was a very special moment for him.
“Players want to play and although I am yet to meet Ilias, it’s obvious to see that he is someone who loves to play football and he will feel relieved to have got some minutes under his belt at a World Cup.
“We will be pleased to have him back and we may also have one or two back and I may have a selection headache for the Cardiff game.”
The “exciting propsect” – as dubbed by Glenn Murray – has averaged the most shots, most key passes and second-most dribbles per game in QPR’s squad so far this season, which emphasises just how much of an attacking threat he provides and how delighted Critchley must be to have him back so soon.
Last weekend’s victory moved the R’s back into the play-off positions, and keeping Chair fit and firing could be pivotal to any promotion aspirations that the Hoops may have this season, so it would not be a surprise to see him going straight back into the starting XI on Boxing Day.
