Mind games Beale drops in new injury blow for Celtic clash
Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers v Wigan Athletic - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 22, 2022 Queens Park Rangers' manager Michael Beale reacts Action Images/Paul Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Micky Beale has suggested that Kemar Roofe has suffered another injury set-back.
The former Leeds United striker came off the bench in the 69th minute against Livingston, his sixth substitute appearance of the season, scored a goal but picked up another knock.
Beale has already talked up the injuries to Malik Tillman, John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Scot Arfield with all four of those players missing the win over Livingston.
There are subtle ways to get injury news out before a big match but it seems that the talkative Ibrox boss missed that class when he was on his coaching course.
The Daily Record reports Beale saying:
Kemar Roofe had a slight issue as well after the weekend unfortunately so we won’t be too far away from the team that played last weekend. It wasn’t a dress rehearsal but there could be one or two more that declare themselves fit.
I need to make sure they are because it’s important there’s not a bravado around it, that they genuinely are fit. We’re pleased where we’re at and we’re well prepared for the game.
The Roofe detail was kept back for Beale’s newspaper mates, the group that were running with his criticism of Chris Sutton, during an 18 minute broadcast media conference in which he talked about everyfingk the new injury wasn’t mentioned.
In contrast Ange Postecoglou said nothing on Friday about Aaron Mooy’s injury that saw him miss the 4-0 win over Aberdeen.
It would be absolutely no surprise at Hampden on Sunday if at least two of Beale’s crocked midfielders were in the starting XI.