Boy Kemper hobbled off late as QPR defeated high-flying Swansea City on Saturday – Julien Stephan has the latest.

QPR manager Julien Stephan hopes Boy Kemper will be fit to face Southampton despite suffering a knock in the win over Swansea City.

QPR smashed Swansea City on Saturday, with hat-trick hero Richard Kone and brace-scoring skipper Jimmy Dunne making headlines. However, there were solid displays all over the pitch, with summer signing Boy Kemper among those who impressed on a bright day at Loftus Road.

However, the Dutchman was forced to leave in the final ten minutes after picking up a knock. His recent ankle injury absence raised fears among supporters, but when speaking with West London Sport, R’s manager Julien Stephan looked optimistic that it was not serious.

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“A knock – probably perhaps two or three or four days,” he replied. “I hope it’s okay for Southampton. (Medical personnel) did not inform me that the ankle had twisted entirely. He’ll have to be evaluated in the following 48 hours to find out exactly.”

Boy Kemper makes an early impression, despite QPR’s full-back competition.
Kemper offers a good pedigree from his stint in the Netherlands. The Ajax academy graduate was a success at both ADO Den Haag and NAC Breda, providing attacking output and defensive solidity in the top two categories of Dutch football.

The 27-year-old appeared to be a wise free transfer signing for QPR upon his arrival, and he put in some impressive pre-season performances. Kemper was sidelined for the next seven games due to an ankle injury sustained on the first day of the season versus Portsmouth, but he has returned in fine form.

Boy Kemper’s QPR statistics
Game GoalsAssists: 6 0 1.
Kemper’s restricted minutes mean his overall statistics aren’t particularly outstanding, but his contributions are most evident in per 90 measures. With 7.89 defensive contributions (top 21%), 2.18 interceptions (top 8%), and 4.35 clearances (top 11%) per 90 minutes, the Hoops man is a top-tier Championship left-back.

QPR has conceded an xG of only 0.66 in 331 minutes with him on the pitch. It reflects Kemper’s involvement in keeping things tight at the back while he was available and playing.

The Verdict: Dennis Cirkin faces a battle to claim the starting position at QPR.

Kemper appeared to be on track to be a quality starter for QPR upon arrival. However, a free transfer move for Dennis Cirkin later in the window appeared to push the Dutch defender down the pecking order.

Cirkin, 24, has been working on his fitness, and he missed three games due to suspension before returning against Swansea City. Kemper has impressed while his absence, and his teammate left-back is now competing for a spot in the team.

Kemper’s current form makes it difficult to drop him from the side. At full fitness and in form, Cirkin may well prove to be the stronger left-back, but he will have to step up his displays and hope his teammate slips up, otherwise he may face a wait to make the starting slot his own