QPR boss has ‘no worries’ about Dykes or Bonne

Mark Warburton has backed struggling strike duo Lyndon Dykes and Macauley Bonne to emerge stronger from difficult first seasons for QPR and benefit from playing and training with Charlie Austin.

Dykes has scored just one of his five goals from open play this season.

Bonne, who has netted three times after coming off the bench, is also struggling to turn good chances into goals.

Scotland international Dykes offered little threat once again in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

He was replaced in the second half by Bonne, who managed to squander three very good chances, including one from close range when he hit the post with Cherries keeper Asmir Begovic stranded after pushing a Chris Willock cross into his path.

But manager Warburton insists he has full faith in the pair to silence their critics in a similar manner to Saturday’s match-winner Todd Kane. who scored late in the game to seal a fourth successive victory.

“I would be more concerned if Macca hadn’t been there to miss them and, I am not saying this lightly, but I don’t mind him missing those if he scores on Wednesday night and we get a scruffy 1-0 win,” said Warburton.

“He is in the right place to miss it. Of course strikers want to score goals, and often they over-think because people, quite rightly, say ‘well they haven’t scored for X amount of games’.

“But there is so much more besides; the closing down, the shape, the pressing, set-pieces for and against, they do so much more.

“But they obviously judge themselves and so, quite rightly, do the fans, by the number of goals they score.

“But I have no worries about those guys. They will learn a lot from Charlie Austin and going forward I have no worries about using them at any time.”

Willock impresses again

For the second successive game, Rangers were energised by the introduction of Chris Willock from the bench.

The former Arsenal and Benfica man caused Bournemouth huge problems with his pace and ability to run with the ball.

Warburton admits being tempted to start with the 23-year-old, but said having the option of using him in the second halves of matches is a huge asset .

“Chrissy has so much ability, but the Championship demands on players are (what they do) with and without the ball,” he said.

“A bit like Ebere Eze last year, we know the talent with the ball but it’s the work without the ball as well, and Chrissy is working hard every single day on that.

“I would have no hesitation to start him, but I know in the second half of games when teams get more fatigued and defenders get tired he can have such an impact. He is such an exciting talent.”

Kane’s second goal of the season capped off a good week for the former Chelsea trainee, who also played a major part in both goals in the win over Brentford on Wednesday and has benefited from the switch to 3-5-2.

“Players are not machines and you have good days and not so good days,” Warburton said.

“Toddy has responded really well to playing as a wing-back and enjoys getting into the final third and done really well.

“But Toddy knows with so many games coming up we have to look after players and we have another good option in Ossie Kakay, but I am delighted with his contribution.”