QPR’s Carabao Cup clash at Blackpool this week looks like the perfect chance for manager Steve McClaren to give his squad players a chance to impress. With several of his more experienced players likely to be rested, the Rangers boss will get a chance to look at some of those keen to force their way into his plans.
Matt Ingram
The goalkeeper struggled at the start of the season, having been installed as number one following the sale of Alex Smithies to Cardiff City. Ingram lost his place to Joe Lumley in the wake of a 7-1 hammering at West Brom and a 3-0 defeat at home to Bristol City. This looks like the ideal game in which to ease him back in.
Osman Kakay
Having started the season in the team because of Darnell Furlong’s knee injury, young right-back Kakay has since been replaced by veteran defender Angel Rangel. Alex Baptiste was preferred to Kakay on Saturday, when Rangel was injured, so the academy product could do with putting in an impressive performance.
Ilias Chair
The young midfielder could well get a chance to show what he can do, having impressed when selected under McClaren’s predecessor Ian Holloway last season.
Idrissa Sylla
Now a long way down the pecking order of strikers at Rangers, Sylla could at least get a run-out this week. And despite successive managers not being overly keen on him, his goalscoring record is very decent.