QPR players applauded Sandro in the dressing room after he completed 90 minutes against Leeds, Neil Warnock revealed after the 1-0 win.

The Brazilian midfielder has complained of various injuries since his move to west London from Tottenham last year.

And Warnock said: “I thought him and Ale Faurlin in midfield were fabulous.

“We gave Sandro a round of applause in the dressing room because he lasted 90 minutes, which is a unique situation for us all.”

Warnock insisted he has been given no indication of whether the game is likely to be his final match in interim charge.

Rangers are keen to appoint a new head coach before Thursday’s visit to Reading, with Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink currently the club’s preferred choice.

“We’re ​now ​looking forward to the Reading game, but I can’t tell you what will happen (before then),” said Warnock.

“I’ve not been involved in the process and I’m sure when there’s something to tell me the owners will do so. At the moment I’m just trying to get smiles on people’s faces.

“The Championship is a unique league, unlike any other league, but I’m sure they’ll have taken quite a lot of things into consideration when looking for someone.”

Charlie Austin, who has been nursing a calf problem, scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.

Rangers struggled to create chances before Austin’s 58th-minute header from Faurlin’s corner – his eighth goal of the season and his team’s first goal in five matches.

“We haven’t got a lot of goals in the squad, we know that,” admitted Warnock, who gave a full debut to 20-year-old winger Michael Petrasso.

“That’s why I went with the team I did, moving Junior Hoilett inside and also bringing young Mikey in.

“We knew Charlie couldn’t play more than half an hour, but I always thought we were going to create chance for him. We know Charlie will always score goals.

“He was really disappointed not to be involved at Middlesbrough last week and has enjoyed training this week.”