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Joel Lynch and Darnell Furlong have both been ruled out of QPR’s game against Brentford.

Lynch was withdrawn at half-time during the midweek defeat at Derby because of an ankle injury.

The centre-back is still struggling, as is Furlong, who missed the Derby match because of a knee problem.

It leaves Rangers short of defensive options, with Nedum Onuoha, Grant Hall, James Perch and Steven Caulker all unavailable.

Manager Ian Holloway had suggested he would turn to Rangers’ youngsters if Lynch and Furlong were sidelined.

Another possible option being considered by Holloway is deploying Pawel Wszolek, Jordan Cousins or Jamie Mackie in a more defensive position – although Cousins might also be unavailable for Monday’s game.

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Cousins, who has been nursing a knee problem and missed the Derby match, will have to be assessed to see if he is fit enough to rejoin the squad.

Holloway said: “I’m going to have a look at it. It’s either (include a youngster or) move a more experienced player into a slightly different role if Jordan Cousins is fit, and he’s saying he is but I’ll have to have a look, or Pavel or maybe Jamie Mackie. I have got a few who can do it.

“But round pegs in round holes don’t half make things easier. I feel like we’ve lost the balance and a little bit of confidence, and how do I underpin that by then putting another forward there (in a defensive role)?”

On a positive note for the R’s, Massimo Luongo has been passed fit after illness and is set to start.













