Onuoha back and Kranjcar may face Reading

Nedum Onuoha has returned to training after a hamstring injury.

The defender, who has been sidelined for almost two months, has been included in QPR’s squad for Saturday’s trip to Reading.

And he could be joined by Niko Kranjcar, who has made a good recovery from his own hamstring problem and hopes to be fit for Croatia’s World Cup qualification play-off against Iceland next week.

Onuoha is unlikely to feature at the Madejski Stadium and is being lined up for a return to action in a development-side game during the forthcoming international break.

That break will also give Rangers boss Harry Redknapp a chance to rest Richard Dunne, who has done a sterling job alongside fellow veteran defender Clint Hill in Onuoha’s absence.

Dunne, 34, joined the R’s on a Bosman free transfer in the summer following an injury-plagued final season at Aston Villa.

Signed on a one-year contract which included the option to release him after six weeks if failed to prove his fitness, he has been a key player in QPR’s good start to the season.

But he will miss the Republic of Ireland’s friendly matches next week because of concerns over his fitness and Redknapp has admitted the two-week break is a timely one.

Redknapp explained: “He has always been very fit and when we took Richard I had no doubts about him.

“He’s a player I always wanted and tried to sign him on several other occasions. I felt he would make a massive difference.

“We went with a six-week deal because of the injury he had but he’s not missed a game and has trained most days.

“But he needs a rest and after tomorrow he’s got a fortnight to recuperate, which will hopefully be good for him.”

Man Utd v Arsenal: free bets offer for West London Sport readers