DAVID Wheeler is expected to miss the remainder of the season following ankle surgery, Head Physio Matt May confirmed today.

There are also spells on the sidelines for Idrissa Sylla and Jamie Mackie, while it’s better news for Paul Smyth, Pawel Wszolek and Grant Hall.

“David has had a problem with his right ankle,” May told www.qpr.co.uk.

“There are some loose fragments which have come off the bone and he had surgery yesterday to tidy that up.

“The recovery time for this is approximately three months so it will be touch-and-go whether he is able to play again this season unfortunately.”

Meanwhile, Sylla hasn’t featured recently owing to a calf problem.

“Idrissa suffered a grade two calf strain in training,” May explained. “He is looking to be back out on the grass by the end of this week so should be available for selection in approximately two-to-three weeks’ time.”

Mackie underwent surgery on a back problem at the start of this month and while the former Nottingham Forest and Reading man is doing all he can to get back in contention, May said it will still be some weeks before he is able to return.

“Jamie ruptured a disc in his back which he has had surgically removed,” May explained. “He has returned to Harlington now following his initial rest period and is back in the gym.

“Jamie is always chasing things down and cutting timelines but he is looking at approximately six more weeks from this point.”

Smyth hasn’t featured for QPR since our FA Cup tie with MK Dons three weeks ago but May has confirmed the young forward is nearing a return.

“Paul had a minor right quad strain in training,” May said. “He has been stepping up his functional rehab, and is looking to be back in training by the end of this week.”

Wszolek wasn’t amongst the travelling party for last weekend’s game at Bristol City but the Polish winger is expected to be available for selection this weekend when QPR host Barnsley.

“Pawel suffered a concussion during a training game last Monday,” May explained.

“We obviously need to adhere to the seven-day return protocol after such an injury. He is now back to training this week without issue.”

And it is similarly good news for Hall, who continues to build his fitness levels.

The centreback spent eight months on the sidelines with a tendonitis issue in his left knee before returning to first-team action in December

“Grant has been fit and training for a little while now,” May said. “We just need to manage his load as he builds his fitness levels.

“He had a bit of tightness in his IT (Iliotibial) band which aggravated the outside of his right knee. That was just a slight niggle and he has successfully overcome that now, and featured in yesterday’s Under-23 game at Colchester without any issue.”