On Saturday, Queens Park Rangers and Millwall will clash in the first round of the League Cup at Loftus Road to kick off their 2026/27 campaigns.

Both clubs are optimistic about the upcoming season after successful summers, but neither Julien Stephan nor Alex Neil will have a fully healthy squad ready for the all-Championship clash.

While success in the cup is the immediate goal, the game also gives both managers one last chance to evaluate their players in competitive action before the Championship season begins next weekend.

QPR have received positive information on numerous players in recent days, albeit there are still a few confirmed absentees.

Millwall, meanwhile, has been hit far harder by injuries during their preseason run, with a number of crucial first-team players left out due to setbacks, including one who appeared in every Championship game last season.

Here are the players scheduled to miss Saturday’s cup match.

QPR

Justin Obikwu

Despite returning to training following a protracted absence, the striker will be out for Saturday’s League Cup match. Julien Stephan revealed that the 22-year-old still needs more time before he is ready for competitive football, therefore his long-awaited QPR debut will have to wait.

Karamoko Dembele

Dembele is also still out of action as he recovers from an ACL injury sustained in February. The winger has made good progress in his recuperation, but Millwall’s visit on Saturday is too soon.

Tariq Lamptey

Tariq Lamptey’s availability remains uncertain after joining Loftus Road from Fiorentina while recovering from an ACL injury, despite reports that the full-back was close to returning soon after signing.

Millwall

Tristan Crama

Crama’s injury is undoubtedly the biggest setback for either team going into the game. Alex Neil has acknowledged that the defender’s ankle injury, which he sustained in the play-off semi-final against Hull City and aggravated against Royal Antwerp, is more serious than previously thought. Following surgery, the Frenchman promised on social media that he will return “stronger”. He played every Championship game for the Lions last season, therefore his absence is a significant setback for the Lions entering the current season.

Tristan Crama participated in the 25/26 Championship season (via FotMob).
Appearances: 46, goals: 3, assists: 6.
Defensive contributions: 444
Clean sheets: 18

Mathis Servais

Servais, another summer addition, has been confirmed absent due to a hamstring injury sustained during a friendly against Bromley. Neil added that the problem is rare in nature and that, while it is not expected to keep him out for several months, it will undoubtedly sideline him for more than a few weeks.

Massimo Luongo

Luongo’s emotional homecoming to Millwall will not yet resume on the pitch. The experienced midfielder is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered last October and is unlikely to play this weekend.

Mihailo Ivanovic

Ivanovic is also expected to miss out after breaking a metatarsal towards the end of July. The Serbian striker underwent successful surgery, but Alex Neil stated he would miss the start of the season, putting Saturday’s cup encounter far too early for a comeback.