QPR’s Bond explains Ferdinand absence

Rio Ferdinand was left out of QPR’s pre-season friendlies this week on the advice of the club’s medical staff.

The veteran centre-back, 35, was initially expected to play at Southend on Wednesday rather than the game at Leyton Orient the previous evening.

In the end Ferdinand, who recently moved to Loftus Road following his departure from Manchester United, featured in neither game.

He made his R’s debut during last week’s trip to Gemany and is likely to be involved in Ireland, where the team play Shamrock Rovers on Saturday and Athlone Town next Tuesday.

“He’s fine. He joined us later than everybody else and what you don’t want is him getting a niggle,” assistant manager Kevin Bond said after Rangers’ 0-0 draw at Southend.

“The medical and fitness guys just need to make sure he’s ready to take part.”

Yun Suk-Young, back after an extended break following his involvement with South Korea at the World Cup, played the first half at Roots Hall.

And former West Ham midfielder Jack Collison, who has been training with Rangers, played the whole 90 minutes.

Bond added: “Yun came back but the younger guys can just come straight in and he got 45 minutes straightaway.

“With the older, senior players who have [injury] history, you need to take care.”

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