The three changes QPR boss looks likely to make

There have been plenty of encouraging signs during QPR’s start to the season – and boss Mark Warburton has plenty of options after totally revamping the squad following his appointment in the summer with a plethora of signings.

Some of those new arrivals have had to wait for a starting place, but it seems a question of when rather than if that changes. And there are three areas where Warburton looks set to make that change sooner rather than later.

Liam Kelly for Joe Lumley

It might seem harsh to drop Lumley following a bad mistake in the defeat at Bristol City, where his attempted clearance gifted the Robins an all-important second goal. But it came days after summer signing Kelly had made an impressive debut against the same opposition in the Carabao Cup and the nature of the error was significant. Warburton brought Kelly in precisely because he wanted a keeper comfortable with the ball at his feet – and the bottom line is that he rates Kelly highly and signed him to be his number one.

Todd Kane for Angel Rangel

Playing in back-to-back games during a short period might not be feasible for veteran defender Rangel at this stage of his career anyway, but regardless of that it seems a matter of time before he is replaced at right-back by the more dynamic Kane, who has been working his way back to full fitness after being without a club for most of pre-season. Rangel will want to play against his former club Swansea on Wednesday but Kane is standing by to take his place.

Marc Pugh and/or Ilias Chair in

Warburton has decent strikers at his disposal, with Jordan Hugill and Nahki Wells having scored in their first appearances of the season. Hugill had a frustrating afternoon at Bristol City but his loan signing from West Ham was a big deal for Rangers and he is currently regarded as very much the number one striker.

Behind the lone frontman though, Warburton has the class and experience of Pugh to call upon as well as the flair of young Chair, who did very well on loan at Stevenage last season and is desperate for a chance to establish himself at QPR. Both have shown during cameos as substitutes that they have a lot to offer.