QPR bosses stand by decision to loan youngster to Swindon

Les Ferdinand and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have defended the decision to send QPR youngster Darnell Furlong on a season-long loan to Swindon.

Speaking at a fans’ forum, Rangers director of football Ferdinand and manager Hasselbaink both insisted the move was in Furlong’s interest.

The 20-year-old right-back has previously played League Two football on loan at Northampton and Cambridge, and QPR were keen for him to now play at League One level.

“We felt he could benefit from the step up and going out and playing more league football,” said Ferdinand.

“He perhaps wasn’t going to get that here and as progression goes I think it’s a good step for him.”

Hasselbaink said: “Last year he was in League Two and did really well. We felt he needed to make that step up.

“We had to ask ‘Is he better than James Perch and Nedum Onuoha?’. At this moment in time, no, so then he is going to sit here as the third right-back and that’s not good for his development.

“We wanted to send him to a club where he is going to get develop and get better and then we’ll look in year’s time a year’s time if he can challenge for that position.”