QPR manager Ian Holloway says been hit with an ‘injury crisis’ in defence ahead of this weekend’s west London derby against Brentford.

Alex Baptiste is currently being assessed for a knee injury picked up this week while Jack Robinson has gone down with an illness and will be unavailable.

With captain Nedum Onuoha suspended and Grant Hall and Joel Lynch out for the remainder of the season, Holloway revealed that he may be forced bring a youngster into the fray.

“Baps has a problem with his knee and Robbo is ill. We’ll find out about Baps today – but it’s not really ideal on the Friday before a game,” said Holloway.

“However, it gives me the chance to play one or two other younger ones and see if they can step in.

“It’s a good opportunity to see what I’ve got ahead of next year – but I want the young ones to impress us and make a name for themselves.”

One player who has been given the chance this season and made a name for himself is Darnell Furlong, who claimed he is loving his time at Loftus Road and is excited for the derby on Saturday.

“This is a game that you are thinking about for a couple of weeks in the lead up to it,” said the 22-year-old.

“After the Preston defeat, we want to go out there and put things right.

“We want to win. We’re not setting out to beat them just to ruin their plans – we want to win and that’s what we are going to try to do.

“Knowing this is a derby might bring something extra out in us. I love derby games. The atmosphere that comes with them is great and these are the games you really want to be involved in.

“We know this is a big game and we’re all looking forward to it.

“Certain things didn’t click against Preston and the game didn’t go the way we wanted it t, but now we’ve got a good chance in a big game to put it right.”