QPR must be ‘careful’ with Austin – Harry

Harry Redknapp insisted QPR will take no chances with Charlie Austin’s fitness ahead of the play-offs after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth all but ended any hope of automatic promotion.

Austin, sidelined since January with a shoulder injury, came on as a second-half substitute but was unable to save his side from another loss.

Rangers have badly missed their top scorer, who will be assessed before manager Redknapp decides whether to involve him against Blackburn on Tuesday.

Redknapp said: “We have to be careful with Charlie and we will see whether we will chance him again.

“He is the one guy who looks like he’ll score a goal. We are short of goals – that’s been our problem.”

The result confirmed Leicester’s promotion and left Rangers 10 points behind second-placed Burnley, who look set to join the Foxes in the top flight.

Redknapp admitted: “It is almost impossible now to be fair. Nobody is going to catch Burnley now, are they?

“I thought we started great and played some really good football. I thought we would go on and win.”

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook