Leeds United loanee suffers ‘really disappointing’ injury setback as boss gives World Cup verdict

The 23-year-old was sent out to the Championship side on a season-long loan deal to get game time and although he's managed nine second tier starts, he has suffered a fresh setback with an injury that kept him out of recent games against Cardiff City and Wigan. Roberts returned to Michael Beale's team at the weekend against Birmingham City, only to limp off after 27 minutes.

"Tyler was a recurrence of the calf injury, which is really disappointing because it’s a minor injury," said the QPR boss after the defeat.

“We gave it 10 days and he’s trained on it and we scanned it and thought it would be fine. But fingers crossed for him, he has the World Cup to look forward to."

Speaking on Monday, Beale definitively ruled Roberts out of the games against Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion, Huddersfield Town and Coventry City, but was at least able to speak with optimism over the Whites forward's chances of being fit for the World Cup.

"Unfortunately Tyler we won't see again before the World Cup," he said. “He’s going to the World Cup. He’s going to live his dream by playing in the World Cup and we’re delighted to have him going there and representing us.”

Injuries have been a frustrating part of Roberts’ reality since a January 2018 move to Elland Road from West Bromwich Albion. His 2021/22 campaign was ended in March with a ruptured hamstring tendon, sustained in Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge at Leicester City, that subsequently required surgery. His contract at Leeds runs until the summer of 2024.

Roberts, capped 20 times for Wales although yet to find the net at senior international level, could be one of two out-on-loan Leeds men in Rob Page's squad for the winter tournament in Qatar.

Daniel James has started five Premier League games for Fulham this season, coming off the bench in a further five, although he's yet to get off the mark with a goal or an assist. He was left on the bench for the weekend 0-0 draw with Everton, having sat out the win at Elland Road a week prior due to Premier League loan regulations.

James, 24, has been in each of Page's last seven starting line-ups and will be expected to add to his 37 caps in Qatar.