Mark Warburton has confirmed that QPR are again looking to bring in a centre-back and send Conor Masterson out on loan.
Rangers were keen to send Masterson elsewhere during the previous transfer window in order for him gain more first-team experience.
The club first wanted to bring in a defender as cover for first-choice centre-backs Rob Dickie and Yoann Barbet, but were unable to do so and Masterson therefore stayed.
Plans to loan Masterson out were also scrapped last January after he broke into the first team and impressed.
However, Warburton has since been concerned that purple patch might ultimately result in Masterson, who had no first-team experience prior to his move from Liverpool last year, missing out on a vital part of his development.
Masterson, 22, has made three Championship appearances for the R’s this season and 15 in total.
Manager Warburton wants him to play more regularly, so Rangers will again look to add a centre-back to their ranks and get the Irishman out on loan when the transfer window reopens in January.
“He’s done very well when he’s stepped in but there still might be an option to make sure we complete his education,” Warburton said.
“If Rob’s not fit then Conor is more than capable of coming in, but he needs a run of games where he gets 20 or 25 under his belt and the lessons that come with that.
“That would be a massive part of his education. You’ve got to look after everyone developing.”
Rangers would be keen for Masterson to make the same kind of impact out on loan that Ilias Chair and Ebere Eze did at Stevenage and Wycombe respectively.
Warburton explained: “Ilias went to Stevenage for a reason.
“Other players might go out on loan and not get selected - and that tells you where they are.
“They’ve got to come back to QPR as better players who are ready for Championship football. We as a club have got to provide those opportunities and those lessons.
“If the right club is available and the right centre-half is available then we might look at that.”