QPR’s Hill passed fit for Brighton game

Clint Hill has been passed fit to return to the QPR squad for the match against Championship leaders Brighton at Loftus Road.

The 37-year-old defender, sidelined since limping off with a knee injury during the derby defeat at Brentford on 30 October, is back in training and is available for selection.

Boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink confirmed: “Clint Hill is fit now and I’m happy with that – we need four centre-halves and he is ready for selection.”

Charlie Austin, meanwhile, is being lined up for a return to the starting line-up for tonight’s game.

Rangers’ top scorer, who has been nursing a calf problem, has not started a match for more than a month and Hasselbaink is keen to deploy him up front against Albion.

The change would see Matt Phillips revert back to a wide role, with Karl Henry dropping to the bench.

Hasselbaink’s side are 13th in the table – 15 points behind Brighton – but a win in the Dutchman’s second match in charge could take Rangers back into the top half.