Michael Beale has all but confirmed that Sinclair Armstrong will feature for QPR in the early stages of the season.
West London Sport revealed on Thursday that the striker will travel with the squad to Blackburn for Saturday’s opening match of the campaign.
An EFL Cup tie against Charlton on 9 August certainly seems like an opportunity to give Armstrong, who recently turned 19, some first-team action.
And head coach Beale has indicated that Rangers could abandon plans to bring in another striker if Armstrong manages to impress.
Beale is keen to add a couple of forwards to his squad - potentially paving the way for Macauley Bonne to move on - but one more might be considered enough if Armstrong impresses.
“He's just turned 19 and he is a physical specimen of a young man and trains really well,” Beale said.
“He is a lovely boy but it's important we don't rush him, but we feel we have a real player of interest.
“I do think the boy will go on to do well. But I want to whisper that and not put him under pressure, because he is slightly under the radar at the moment, which is a good place to be.
“I am intrigued by Sinclair being given opportunities in and around the first team and I think he could save us from having to go into the market.”
Dubliner Armstrong, signed from Shamrock Rovers last summer, has featured for Rangers during recent pre-season friendlies.
His first-team experience prior to that came during loan spells at Torquay and Aldershot last season.
Meanwhile, recent loan signing Tyler Roberts, who has been nursing a thigh problem, will not be in the squad this weekend.
Beale planned to decide on Friday morning whether to take Chris Willock and Luke Amos to the north west.
Willock has been recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in March, which required surgery, while Amos’ pre-season has been hampered by a hamstring strain.
Rangers believe both players might well be fit enough to be among the substitutes at Ewood Park.