Richard Kone Faces Setback in Fitness Comeback

Richard Kone’s stop-start season took another worrying twist on Monday as the QPR striker limped off less than half an hour into a development squad match.

The 23-year-old, top scorer for Rangers last season, was making his latest attempt to build fitness in a game against Bolton’s Under-21s. It was only his second outing since he picked up an injury against Middlesbrough on 5 September.

His return did not last long.

Kone went down after a strong challenge and, after trying to continue, was forced off, cutting short a carefully managed comeback. Bolton’s youngsters went on to win the match 3-1, but QPR’s main concern will be the condition of their forward.

The exact nature of the problem has not yet been confirmed, adding another layer of uncertainty to a difficult campaign for the striker, who has made just four first-team appearances this season and is still searching for his first goal.