Ian Holloway has told QPR’s website he is keen for youngsters such as Osman Kakay and Chay Tilt to play for the first team before the end of the season.

West London Sport revealed this week that Rangers boss Holloway plans to select Jamie Mackie and James Perch to give them a send-off ahead of them being released by the club when their contracts expire.

And, following the impact made by the likes of Ebere Eze, Paul Smyth and Bright Osayi-Samuel, Holloway is keen for more youngsters to be given opportunities.

“There is a pathway for the younger players, and every single one of them has taken an opportunity that has come their way this season, I’m very proud of them,” Holloway said.

‘Real glut’

“We saw the likes of Bright Osayi-Samuel and Paul Smyth really perform in attack on Tuesday night. If we can keep those boys in the future, how good could we be?

“I might also be able to put some of those lads in before the end of the campaign, the likes of Ozzy Kakay and Chay Tilt. It’s exciting when you see the younger lads expressing themselves.

“We’ve got a real glut of fantastic young players coming through, who I’ve got to manage properly.

“I can’t put them all in at the same time, because they haven’t got enough experience yet – and if I play a youngster three times in eight days, he isn’t going to be able to last.”

Right-back Kakay, 20, has made three first-team appearances for Rangers but has not featured since his only league appearance for the club, which was against Brighton in December 2016.

He is a product of QPR’s academy, while midfielder Tilt, also 20, was picked up after leaving West Brom last summer and his performances for Rangers’ development side have put him in contention for a senior debut.

Holloway, whose side beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 in midweek, will face Preston at Loftus Road on Saturday.

“I’ll be putting a team out there that’s fresh, that’s ready to go and one who I think can win us the game,” he said.







