Alex Baptiste returns for QPR’s clash with Sunderland

QPR boss Ian Holloway will have defender Alex Baptiste back at his disposal for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with struggling Sunderland.

Baptiste missed Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Derby through illness, but is available for selection once again.

Youngsters Darnell Furlong, Paul Smyth and Ebere Eze stood out in midweek and will hope for further involvement.

However, Jamie Mackie (back), Idrissa Sylla (calf), Grant Hall (knee) and David Wheeler (ankle) are all out.

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman faces an anxious wait over defender John O’Shea after seeing his options at the back dramatically reduced.

O’Shea limped out of Tuesday night’s 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa having already seen Tyias Browning depart prematurely with a groin injury which will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

The veteran Republic of Ireland international is yet to be ruled out, but with Jake Clarke-Salter completing a three-match ban and Marc Wilson back in training, but not yet ready to play, Coleman faces the prospect of heading to Loftus Road with Lamine Kone as his only fit central defender.

Full-back Adam Matthews missed out in midweek through injury and Robbin Ruiter, Paddy McNair, Darron Gibson and Duncan Watmore continue their respective recoveries.