Hall backed after mistake against Boro

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has backed Grant Hall after the defender’s below-par performance in QPR’s defeat against Middlesbrough.

Hall, outstanding for Rangers this season, was restored to the starting line-up following a recent foot injury – partly because Clint Hill is struggling with a hamstring problem.

He was at fault for Boro’s opening goal in their  3-2 win at Loftus Road and generally looked well short of his best.

But boss Hasselbaink said: “I was always going to bring Grant in. Maybe not for the Middlesbrough match, maybe for the next match, but I was always going to bring him back.

“We believe in him and he is the future at QPR. He didn’t have his best game but that’s how it is.

“I’ll stand by him. He’s a good player and we like him.”

Hill’s hamstring woe

Rangers stalwart Hill, 37, was brought in while Hall was sidelined but has himself been nursing an injury and was not fit enough to be included on Friday.

His condition will be assessed ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Leeds United.

“Clint has a hamstring injury and that’s why he was not on the bench,” said Hasselbaink.

“We hope that he recovers quickly but we don’t know yet if he will make it for Tuesday.”