Lyndon Dykes transfer riddle after Scotland star left out of QPR team

LYNDON Dykes looks to be heading for the exit door at Queens Park Rangers after the Scotland international striker was left out of the squad for the 1-1 draw against nine-man Plymouth Argyle.

Rs boss Marti Cifuentes would not be drawn on the reason why Dykes was missing.

4

4

But his cryptic reply when quizzed on the striker suggests he might be moving on in the final week of the transfer window.

When asked if he expected Dykes to still be at the club next weekend, Cifuentes said: “I don’t know.

“I just picked players based on availability, He wasn’t available and I try and focus on the players who are on the pitch”

Dykes, 28, moved to Loftus Road from Livingston four years ago and has scored 37 goals in 165 appearances.

What could have been his final goal for the club came last weekend when was on target as a late substitute to snatch a point in the 2-2 draw against Sheffield United.

But he was a big omission after barely missing a Championship game in the past year.

Dykes was struck down by pneumonia earlier in his spell in west London and was a big miss for Scotland when he suffered a knee injury in Euro 2024 build-up – ruling him out of the tournament this summer.

He’s also been a reported target of Rangers in the past with then boss Steven Gerrard linked and subsequent stories of interest from Michael Beale last summer.

However Millwall were also keen and the striker has appeared settled in England‘s second-tier.

The striker is expected to return to Steve Clarke‘s Scotland squad when it’s named this week ahead of games with Poland and Portugal next month.

Sunsport exclusively revealed that Ryan Gauld could be handed a first call-up, with Gers’ Connor Barron also in the mix.

Gifted Gauld, 28, has never been capped at top team level – and he was passed over for a Euro 2024 spot.

But Clarke could be ready to give the playmaker a chance in next month’s double-header.

As yet no firm decision has been made ahead of next week’s squad announcement.

4

But SunSport understands the former Dundee United kid – who moved to Sporting Lisbon in a decade ago – is one of the players in contention with Clarke looking to freshen up his group.

The SFA are currently doing their background checks on which players are fit and available with Gauld being discussed. 

Callum McGregor won’t be part of the group after announcing his international retirement earlier this month.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page