MATT Connolly could be in contention to return to action in time for next week's clash with Stoke City.

The QPR defender has been sidelined since the beginning of last month after suffering an ankle injury in training following a tackle by team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips .

However, the former Arsenal defender was handed a boost this week after scans showed he doesn't require surgery.

And Connolly could now return to the squad for the trip to the Britannia on November 19.

Boss Neil Warnock said: “They thought Matt was going to need an operation but the surgeon said not, and I expect him to step up training this week.

“He might only be a couple of weeks away.”

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