QPR director of football Les Ferdinand expects Sandro to arrive back in the country this month and confirmed he will be a part of the first-team squad.

The midfielder has been training with Brazilian side Internacional while waiting for a new work permit to be approved.

QPR failed to notice Sandro’s visa had expired at the back-end of the last campaign and the 26-year-old had to leave the country after playing without the right documentation.

Sandro started only 17 Premier League games last season after his £10million switch from Tottenham 12 months ago and seemed certain to be moved on to help reduce the wage bill.

But Ferdinand told Standard Sport: “Sandro will be back with us in the next few weeks. He has had to reapply for a passport and he should get that soon. He will be part of our first-team squad. We know what he is capable of and we need leaders on the pitch.”

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