Furlong to keep his place for Fulham game

QPR boss Ian Holloway will keep Darnell Furlong in his team for Saturday’s west London derby against Fulham at Loftus Road.

Furlong, 21, made his Championship debut in last week’s win at Reading after James Perch went down with an illness.
Perch is available again this weekend but Rangers boss Holloway will stick with Furlong at right-back.

“I’d be mad if I didn’t,” Holloway told West London Sport on the eve of the game.

“Perchy’s fit. But the great thing about Perchy – and it is great – is that no matter where you play him he knows how to play there.”

Holloway has criticised striker Idrissa Sylla for his reaction to being substituted at Reading.

But he has nothing but praise for Perch, who faces being left out this weekend despite Holloway regarding him as an important player.

“He’s just about one of the best pros I’ve had. He wanted to play at Reading but couldn’t make it,” Holloway said.

“The young boy stepped in and was absolutely not far off our best player on the pitch.

“Perchy knows that and the great thing about him is that he can play anywhere across the midfield and anywhere at the back.

“He knows I really like him and I’m delighted to have him. It’s an occupational hazard that the team might play well without you.

“Sometimes, if you are injured or ill, it’s not a good time to be out of the team because you might not get back in it.

“That’s the competition I want. Perchy’s superb as as bloke and he’ll take whatever I do without moaning or pulling a silly face.”