QPR closing on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink move

Posted Wednesday, December 02, 2015 by PA

QPR head to Reading for Thursday's Sky Bet Championship clash aiming to close in on the appointment of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as their new manager.

It remains to be seen whether a deal can be brokered for the Dutchman to take up the vacancy, which was created following the sacking of Chris Ramsey on November 4 since when former boss Neil Warnock as installed on an interim basis.

Burton on Wednesday confirmed the League One club had been approached by QPR and allowed Hasselbaink to open talks over a potential switch back to west London for the one-time Chelsea frontman.

Hasselbaink - who guided the Brewers to promotion last season and took them to the top of the League One table with Tuesday night's win over Millwall - will inherit a side in need of a kickstart to a campaign which has seen them drop to 12th place after three defeats in five matches.

Charlie Austin could return to the starting XI at the Madejski Stadium.

Austin, who had been struggling with a calf problem, came off the bench to net the winner against Leeds on Saturday, while midfielder Leroy Fer is available again following a one-match suspension.

Midfielder Alejandro Faurlin believes QPR can start to move forwards following a testing spell.

"It is difficult for us to win games, we need to get that momentum and then it will be easier," Faurlin said on QPR Player.

"This season has been very frustrating. We have practically a new group (of players). We have been changing the formation a lot and are still trying to find our feet.

"Results give you more confidence and hopefully we can kick on now to finally win games.

"We have a good squad, it is important everyone feels part of the group and we are working hard to turn things around."

Reading could again be without captain Paul McShane.

The defender has been unable to train this week after suffering a clash of heads during the closing stages of Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, which has left him with swelling underneath his right eye.

Anton Ferdinand could be in line to face his former club if McShane is not given the all clear.

Royals boss Steve Clarke is also waiting for news on midfielder Garath McCleary, who missed the trip to the City Ground because of a hamstring problem.

Reading could go back into the top six with a win, having seen their early-season promise fade following three defeats from the last seven matches.

"Hopefully we can get back to doing what we do well, which is to be solid as a team, move the ball well and look a threat and get lots of shots on the opposition goal, and we want to get ourselves the three points that we need to get ourselves moving again," he said.

Clarke, who turned down the chance to join Championship rival Fulham, added on the club's official website: "It is the start of December and there are lots of games to go. All we are looking for is to get back to winning ways and to what we did well earlier this season.

"It is not so long ago - about eight weeks ago people were saying what a fantastic team we were and things were going in the right direction, so we have to get back to that.

"Sometimes in football you get these moments. So all you have to do is dig in, work harder and come out the other side better and stronger."