QPR captain Martin Rowlands is expected to be out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win at Derby.

Rowlands was stretchered off early in the game at Pride Park and is believed to have sustained significant ligament damage.

He was due to undergo a scan on Monday morning and Rangers are not expecting good news.

Coach Paulo Sousa dedicated the victory to Rowlands, calling him “a fighter, our captain and our leader” while team-mate Lee Cook admitted the skipper’s injury is a huge blow.

Cook said: “We’re all hoping it’s not as bad as we’re thinking at the moment. With Akos Buzsaky and Rowan Vine out as well, it would be a blow if he’s sidelined for a long time.”

Concern for Rowlands took the shine off an excellent victory for Rangers – only their second away from home this season.

Recent signing Wayne Routledge took advantage of a lucky break to score his first goal for the club and the winger then set up Rangers’ second goal, pulling the ball back from the right for Mikele Leigertwood to fire home nine minutes before half-time.

The result was a nightmare start for new Derby boss Nigel Clough and lifted Rangers up to eighth in the table – three points behind sixth-placed Cardiff.

Routledge, who ran rings around Rams full-back Mo Camara, said: "I'm just pleased to be playing because I hadn't played regularly for a while.

“As far as I'm concerned QPR should be in the play-offs, and that's where I want us to be."