Austin will not be rushed back – Hasselbaink

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insists he will take no chances with Charlie Austin’s fitness.

Austin, who has been nursing a calf problem, is being lined up for a return to QPR’s starting line-up against Championship leaders Brighton at Loftus Road tonight – a move that would see Matt Phillips revert back to a wide role and Karl Henry drop to the bench.

R’s boss Hasselbaink said: “Charlie’s fit to start. He was fit to start on Saturday but we want him to be able to play 90 minutes.

“I’m a big lover of Charlie Austin. He’s a very good striker that I really like, but he’s been injured and before I came here he hadn’t played.

“I don’t want to rush him and risk losing him. I need to give him that base (of fitness) where he can go forward.”

Clint Hill has also been passed fit for tonight’s game after recovering from a knee injury.