New QPR boss Steve McClaren was unfazed by their opening day loss to Preston North End on Saturday and remains confident the squad will improve quickly.

Alan Browne’s looping header saw Preston take all three points at Deepdale meaning McClaren has won just one of his past 11 games in charge of an English tier two side.

But McClaren insisted his side could have got something from the game despite only registering 36 per cent possession and managing just two shots on target.

“We’re disappointed and the players are disappointed,” he admitted. “We could have got something from the game but we didn’t do enough.

“We need to be more creative and play football like we were in pre-season. That will come. We move on. I am positive about this group.

“They have a fantastic attitude and we can play better football than we did today. We need to release the shackles and go and play like we know we can.

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“This was always going to be a very difficult game and we lost it on a set-play. We defended quite well, and Matt Ingram only had one save to make but we didn’t do enough to win the game.”

McClaren will be unable to add to his squad in the January transfer window but has managed to get 20-year-old Ebere Eze to sign a new contract.

The striker – handed the number ten shirt by McClaren for this season – is full of potential according to the former England boss.

“I am delighted for Ebere and for the club,” he said. “The club have done a fantastic job in recruiting him and getting him into the Under-23s where he has had a great education from all the coaches.

“This contract is a deserved reward for all his hard work and the hard work of the club.

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“He still has a lot to work on and to improve on but we feel, he feels and his family feel this is the best place for him right now.

“He has got a great attitude and has so much energy and enthusiasm, which is a big plus.

“He’s a huge talent and could be a very special player. ‘Could be’ are two big words and we have to help him fulfil his potential.”