Half-time: QPR 1 Walsall 0

By

Alejandro Faurlin is making his first-team return at Loftus Road, where Shaun Wright-Phillips’ 29th-minute goal gave QPR a half-time lead.

Manager Mark Hughes has indicated that Faurlin, sidelined since suffering cruciate damage in January, would not be considered for the Capital One Cup second-round clash.

But after assessing the midfielder, Hughes decided that Faurlin was fit enough to play.

Wright-Phillips put Rangers ahead by stabbing the ball past keeper David Grof from 10 yards out after being picked out by Bobby Zamora’s clever pass.

The goal came three minutes after Andrew Johnson missed a great chance for Rangers, heading wide of the far post after being found unmarked by Jose Bosingwa’s right-wing cross.

Johnson and Bosingwa were handed their first competitive starts for the club, while Ryan Nelsen is making his R’s debut.

And Nelsen came close to giving Rangers an early lead when he headed Wright-Phillips’ corner narrowly wide.

Wright-Phillips shot wide from Fabio’s low cross and Grof saved with his legs to deny Johnson before the deadlock was eventually broken.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook