Hasselbaink suggests Sandro could keep QPR place

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says there is a chance Sandro could keep his place in the QPR starting line-up.

The Brazilian midfielder has not featured in the league for Rangers this season and both parties were keen for him to move on during the recent transfer window.

Sandro was given a run-out and scored in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat against Sunderland in the EFL Cup third round, having scored twice against Rochdale in the previous round.

Asked if he is now tempted to select the player for league matches, manager Hasselbaink said: “Sandro has got that quality – we all know that.

“I said when I spoke to him after the transfer window closed that he will be judged on what he does in training and in games and he will be treated like the others.

“He had a desire to go, but he’s still here and is still my player. He’s conducting himself really well in training and is pushing himself forward for that starting position.

“If you see how much work he has done in the first half, he did very well and I was happy with the performance.”

Hasselbaink also praised youngsters Osman Kakay and Niko Hämäläinen, who featured in the game against the Black Cats.

Rangers are at home to Birmingham City on Saturday.