QPR’s Willock ‘needs to get fitter’

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Chris Willock was left on the bench against Norwich on Wednesday following his brief appearance in the defeat by Coventry last Saturday. (Picture: Ian Randall Photography)

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth says Chris Willock was not fit enough to be involved in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Norwich.

The result did nothing to ease Rangers’  relegation worries, and Willock, who has been troubled by hamstring problems during the past two seasons, was an unused substitute.


Veteran winger Albert Adomah was sent on midway through the second half, with Willock remaining on the bench.

“Chris needs to get fitter and he knows that,” said Ainsworth, whose team face Champions-elect Burnley on Saturday.

“The intensity that the match was played at it would have been wrong to introduce him.”

Meanwhile, Jake Clarke-Salter returned to the side after a long lay-off but lasted only an hour before going down clutching his calf and being replaced. The problem does not appear to be serious.

“He has been out a long time and had five days training,” Ainsworth said.

“In a team that have conceded a lot of goals you have to find your best formation and best defenders, and Jake has been a good player early in the season with a good record and I wanted to see if I could get him in the team as quick as possible.

“I don’t think it’s anything serious and hopefully he will recover for Burnley, it not the two games after.”