QPR boss confirms Mackie must wait

Ian Holloway has told QPR’s website that Jamie Mackie will need to prove his fitness before being considered for a first-team return.

West London Sport revealed this week that Mackie was back in training and pencilled in to play for Rangers’ development side next Monday but was keen to be included in boss Holloway’s squad for Saturday’s game against Rotherham.

But Holloway has resisted any temptation to call upon Mackie this weekend – even though QPR have a number of injury worries.

“Typical Jamie Mackie, he has come in like a breath of fresh air – and a whirlwind!” Holloway said.

“I have told him that people that are out that long normally need to play parts of three games to get considered for the first team. We’ll see how he does.

“When you have been out for that period of time, we need to know, and the player needs to know himself, that he is fit and ready.”

Mackie, 31, has not featured this season, having suffered ankle ligament damage in training during pre-season as he was trying to recover his fitness following a long-term hamstring injury.