Austin scores twice as QPR youngsters, plus four trialists, lose to Southampton

Charlie Austin scored twice and set up another as QPR’s Under-23s were beaten 5-1 by Southampton in a friendly on Tuesday night.

Former Rangers striker Austin – who has made seven first-team appearances for Saints since joining them in January – played 72 minutes of the game, while one-time England striker Jay Rodriguez also netted.

QPR, whose side included four trialists as well as Sandro and Daniel Tozser, went ahead with their first attack on seven minutes.

Eberechi Eze, an ex-Millwall trainee who signed for Rangers last week, converted Axel Prohouly’s cross.

But that was as good as it got for the visitors, with Austin levelling things up not long afterwards as he brought down a cross and fired home with his right foot.

Rodriguez made it 2-1 on 35 minutes and Austin grabbed his second shortly before the break, rounding the keeper after being played in by Jake Hesketh.

The pair combined for the fourth goal midway through the second half, Austin’s cross being met by Hesketh’s side-footed finish.

And 20-year-old Hesketh added further gloss to the scoreline in the closing minutes, converting Olufela Olomola’s cross.