QPR forward Mackie can return

Jamie Mackie has been given the green light to return to action following a broken leg.

A specialist has told the QPR forward, who has been sidelined since January, that he can resume full-contact training. Mackie is expected to play in a reserve match next week.

“He rang me 14 times last night telling me he can play against Aston Villa on Sunday,” joked Rangers boss Neil Warnock, who recently named Mackie in his 25-man Premier League squad after being advised the player was close to a return.

Mackie had scored nine goals for QPR and been cappped by Scotland when he suffered his injury in an FA Cup match against Blackburn.

Diring the summer he was advised to delay his comeback because he was still in some pain.

That pain has since gone and Rangers were confident Mackie would receive good news this week.