QPR have denied Steven Caulker's head injury was caused by a Christmas Party bust-up.

The Daily Mail says Caulker was taken to hospital with a cut head after QPR and Crystal Palace players met up at a London pub.

Rangers officials confirmed that the one-cap England defender needed treatment - although they insisted the 22-year-old was not involved in any sort of fight, and it is claimed that he slipped and fell.

Reports claimed trouble broke out on Sunday afternoon when players from both sides were out to celebrate good results from the day before.

A club statement left mystery over how the injury was received. It said: "Following Saturday's Premier League win versus Burnley & with no further fixture for nine days the club can confirm players were allowed to have a Sunday lunch together.

"Steven Caulker was not involved in an altercation. He did suffer a cut to his head, which he received treatment for at hospital before being discharged on the same evening.

"The club will be making no further comment."