Injury blow for QPR ahead of Barnsley game

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Darnell Furlong has been ruled out of QPR’s game against Barnsley after suffering a groin injury in training on the eve of the match.

Pawel Wszolek has returned to the squad along with Paul Smyth, but Furlong is unavilable for the game at Loftus Road.

He might have missed out anyway, with QPR boss Ian Holloway planning changes.

Rangers were beaten 2-0 at Bristol City last time out despite the Robins playing most of the match with 10 men.

That annoyed Holloway, who looks likely to shuffle the pack against the Tykes at Loftus Road.

“Maybe we need to make a few changes against Barnsley to freshen things up a bit,” Holloway told Rangers’ website.

“It’s a chance for us to put things right, and I’m expecting a good reaction. I want to please our fans with our effort.”

There are a number of changes Holloway could make…

Smyth and Smith up front

It’s a combination Holloway likes but has not been able to play in recent weeks because young forward Smyth has been out with a thigh problem.

Smyth has been passed fit for this weekend’s game and, with Conor Washington and Aramide Oteh having struggled in the last couple of matches, a change in attack looks likely.

The return of Wszolek

The Polish winger is also available, having been sidelined for the Bristol City game. Before that he was left out in favour of Furlong but could now be restored.

A change of formation?

Could Wszolek’s return be as a winger? He has been deployed as a wing-back for much of the season because Rangers have been reliant on a midfield three of Luke Freeman, Massimo Luongo and Josh Scowen. But with Holloway looking for something new, is it now time to change the system?

The future could be Bright

A change of system might also see Bright Osayi-Samuel involved more. The summer signing from Blackpool has looked likely in spells and might benefit from a run in the team.