QPR’s Luongo praised for recent displays

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has praised Massimo Luongo for his performances since the midfielder’s recall to the QPR side.

Hasselbaink, who has won just one of his 11 matches in charge since taking over as Rangers manager, initially overlooked Luongo because he was unconvinced by his work-rate off the ball.

But the Dutchman admits Luongo has proved a point to him with his recent displays.

Hasselbaink said: “Massimo has given us something different. He’s very calm on the ball, very easy on the eye.

“Also he’s done the other side of the game. That was my worry, but he has proven to us that he can do that. Now he has to do that for the rest of the season.

“You need that four in the centre of the park – the two central defenders and the midfielders – to be a unit.”

Luongo played in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest alongside Alejandro Faurlin, who was restored to the side after being left out against Wolves.

“Faurlin has been playing well. He was ill and it was a very difficult decision for me not to play him against Wolves,” Hasselbaink explained.

“I alway thought I was going to bring him back. He makes us tick.”