Chery surprised over his lack of first-team football at QPR

Tjaronn Chery (left) was in impressive form on Saturday as QPR secured a 2-0 win over Birmingham EMPICS Sport

QPR playmaker Tjaronn Chery has revealed that he has been surprised with his lack of first-team football since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has taken over as manager.

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Chery made just his second start under Hasselbaink’s reign so far in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Birmingham City, with the Dutchman deservedly picking up the man-of-the-match accolade, while also getting getting on the scoresheet.

Following his appointment as manager in December, Hasselbaink told the Times that Chery has a big part to play in his long-term plans.

However, so far the 27-year-old has struggled for game time under his fellow Dutchman, and while Chery appreciates the compliment from his manager, he would rather have been showing him his qualities on the field more regularly.

He said: “I read an article on the internet from one of the local papers (The Times) about him (Jimmy) praising me so that was a nice thing to read.

“It has been difficult to show him what I can bring to the team though as I haven’t played a lot under him, so it was nice to start a game again.

“I was happy to be starting and to get a goal - it’s been a long time not playing for me.

“I don’t know why I wasn’t playing, but I’ve got to do it the same this weekend (against MK Dons) as I did against Birmingham.

“At the start of the season I was playing every game, but two different managers have come in since then, and both have their own ideas, so I have had to fight for my place a number of times already.

“I’ve been training really well and tried to make the manager’s job difficult as much as I can in terms of his team selection.

“I know what he wants so I’ve been focusing on that in training and thankfully now I have got the opportunity to show everyone what I am all about.”

Chery believes the victory over Gary Rowett’s men has kept alive the Rs faint play-off hopes, with Hasselbaink’s men 11 points off the top six with 12 games remaining.

He added: “It was a really important win.

“Now we have to look at space number six (the play-offs). It will be really hard, but if we play like we did then it’s possible.”

Chery was pleased to be deployed in his favoured No 10 role against the Blues, a position he believes sees him at his best.

“Yes, I enjoy playing in the No 10 role a lot, and think I bring a lot to the team when I play here.

“Against Birmingham I feel I was the person between the lines who created something and helped the team, so hopefully I can carry on doing that.

“Leroy (Fer) leaving has given me a chance to secure a regular spot in the team.

“When he was here he was on the left mostly with Junior playing in the No 10 role, but now that has all changed.

“Hopefully I can keep my spot in the team now and push on between now and the end of the season, and so can the team.”