Austin lined up for QPR return against Brighton

Charlie Austin is being lined up for a return to the QPR starting line-up for Tuesday’s game Brighton at Loftus Road.

Rangers’ top scorer, who has been nursing a calf problem, has not started a match for more than a month.

His fitness will be assessed ahead of the visit of the Championship leaders and boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is keen to deploy Austin up front.

The change would see Matt Phillips revert back to a wide role, with Karl Henry dropping to the bench.

Hasselbaink’s side are 13th in the table – 15 points behind Brighton – but a win in the Dutchman’s second match in charge could take Rangers back into the top half.