QPR boss Mark Warburton has confirmed that midfielder Tom Carroll is set for three months on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury. 

The 28-year-old sustained the setback in the Rs' clash with Luton Town last week, with a scan showing the midfielder suffered torn knee ligaments in the clash at Kenilworth Road. 

After playing 24 matches for the Hoops this season, the former Swansea man will be a big miss for Warburton, who will be on the lookout for a replacement during the January transfer window. 

“Tom has suffered a nasty injury, he had an operation at the weekend and will probably miss a good few weeks unfortunately,” Warburton told the QPR website.

“I am really devastated for Tom. He has worked so hard to get himself fit and has been demonstrating a real quality on a consistent basis, week in, week out.

“I am so disappointed for him but his rehabilitation started straight after the operation and we look forward to welcoming him back.”

Rangers coped well in Carroll’s absence on Wednesday night, as Chris Willock’s strike sealed a second successive victory for Warburton’s side, as they overcame Cardiff 1-0 in the Welsh capital. 

The summer signing from Benfica has had to work hard to earn his chance in the first team during the current campaign, but made the most of his opportunity to get the deciding goal at the Cardiff City Stadium. 

The victory lifts QPR up to 17th in the Championship table ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash with Wayne Rooney’s Derby County side, who themselves sit just two points above the relegation zone and five behind Rangers. 

And Warburton was keen to sing the praises of Willock, as well as goalkeeper Seny Dieng, who kept clean sheets in the victories against the Hatters and the Bluebirds. 

“Chris has been working hard - as has Albert Adomah and George Thomas, all of these players want to play and want to contribute, and Chris did very well tonight.

“Seny has been very, very good from day one but I thought the double save in the first half tonight was outstanding,” Warburton said after the Cardiff win. 

“He had real presence, and that’s what you see in a really good goalkeeper, really good presence.

“He dominates his box, he looks assured and he looks comfortable. He showed all of those qualities tonight.”