QPR boss Cifuentes backs Richards

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Taylor Richards could get a chance to kick-start his QPR career this weekend.

Playmaker Ilias Chair is suspended for the visit of Bristol City and Taylor is pushing for a starting place after impressing new boss Martí Cifuentes.

“This week Taylor Richards has been really, really good in training,” Cifuentes revealed.


“We know about his quality. He is a player who has the capacity to change a game, as other players we have do, and it’s my job to get the best out of them.”

The Hammersmith-born Richards, who turns 23 next month, has started just one Championship match for Rangers since arriving from Brighton last year, initially on loan.

He was signed on a permanent deal during the summer because his season-long loan included an obligation to buy him.

Richards was overlooked by ex-boss Gareth Ainsworth but was recalled to the squad for Cifuentes’ first match in charge, at Rotherham, and came on as a second-half substitute.

“I’m not looking back at what happened before. What I see is a player that has the desire and has extreme quality on the ball,” Cifuentes said.

“He is also taking a step to improve out of possession and his capacity to counter-press and work for the team.

“We know that when he has the ball he has the dribbling capacity and extreme passing skills, I would say.

“If we can get the best of him then he is definitely a player that can make a difference in a Championship game.”

Meanwhile, QPR defender Morgan Fox faces at least a few more weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.