QPR playmaker Ilias Chair will not play this week due to a new setback, Julien Stephan confirmed it.
QPR are back in action on Tuesday evening when they take on play-off outsiders Southampton. Only goal difference divides the teams, with both just four points away from the top six.
The R’s will be looking for another big result after beating Hull City 3-1 on Saturday. It was hoped Moroccan star Ilias Chair would be fit for the trip to East Yorkshire but he was sidelined again despite returning to training.
Speaking to the press ahead of the trip to Southampton: Hoops boss Julien Stephan has confirmed that a new setback has ruled out the chairman. He will therefore have to miss the Saints game and the home match against Sheffield United this weekend.
“Illy (is being assessed) day by day, but he won’t be available this week,” Stefan told me West London sport. “I hope he comes back soon because he is very important for the club, but we have to be careful. We have to make sure that when he comes back he is 100% fit. It is very important.”
QPR misses Ilias Chair in disrupted campaign
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Unfortunately for QPR, it has been a while since they had Chair available on a regular basis and playing at his lethal best. After 15 goals in 44 games in the 2023/24 season, last season was disrupted by occasional sidelines.
He still scored two goals and six assists in 29 games, but injuries continued this season and limited him to just eleven appearances.
The value of the chair is not lost on Stephan. He has started regularly when fit and is eagerly awaiting his return, but the frustration at his continued absence is understandable. The R’s are missing a key attacking player and look forward to welcoming him back once he is fit again.
Chair is yet to feature for the Hoops in 2026. His last appearance came in the 3-1 win over West Brom.
Ilias Chair’s statistics 2025/26
| Games | Target contributions | Minutes played |
| 11 | 3 | 801 |
Who will start for QPR against Southampton?
Chair has so far been used under Stephan as a left winger and attacking midfielder. Given the injuries to players like Karamoko Dembele, Rumarn Burrell and Kwame Poku, there is a clear path back to the team.
Given the current availability of players, Chair could operate centrally when he returns, while Koki Saito will start on the left. But in the meantime, QPR chief Stephan has options.
Daniel Bennie scored against Hull City and could certainly play against Southampton. Ryan Collie also started and played closer to striker Richard Kone than Harvey Vale has in recent weeks.
Vale could return to a central role if Stephan chooses to make a change. If not, he can keep his place on the right side.
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