Hemed still ‘two or three weeks away’ from fitness

Steve McClaren says Tomer Hemed’s return is a major boost for QPR but that it will take time for the striker to get back to full fitness.

Hemed, on loan from Brighton, recently returned to training following a hernia operation and came on as a substitute towards the end of Rangers’ FA Cup win against Portsmouth.

It was Hemed’s first appearance for the R’s since December and manager McClaren plans to ease him back into the side.

“He’s trained less than a week and to just get him on the bench and on the field was a big bonus for us,” said McClaren.

“He’s still, in terms of fitness, two or three weeks away. But to take the first step is very important for him and us.”