Lyndon Dykes’ brace in the 4-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday was testament to his hard work put in on the training ground, according to QPR boss Mark Warburton. 

The Scotland international netted either side of half-time to make it three goals in his last two games for the R’s, after a run of one goal in 23 matches beforehand. 

Stefan Johansen and Chris Willock also found the net for Rangers in the comprehensive victory over the relegation-threatened Owls, making it three consecutive victories at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. 

Dykes’ timely return to form was warmly welcomed by Warburton, with striker Charlie Austin having to sit on the sidelines after being charged with violent conduct in the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday. 

“I am so happy for him, the first goal was a great finish, he got in between the centre defenders and finished off a good ball from Yoann [Barbet],” Warburton told the club’s website. 

“Lyndon has worked tirelessly in the last few weeks, I am so pleased for him. Strikers have these tough patches, but he has come back strong and deserves all the credit today.

“We have a tough run coming up now and It’s about using our squad, we have to think, do we want to use two No.10’s like we did with Ilias and Chris Willock today or play with the two strikers up top with one behind.”

Dykes got his first goal of the game just before the half-hour mark, as he stole away from his marker to meet Yoann Barbet’s ball into the box and glance the ball past Joe Wildsmith. 

Josh Windass levelled for the visitors just three minutes later, but Johansen’s deflected effort restored the advantage just after the break. 

Dykes was at it again on the hour mark, as he nodded in his second goal of the afternoon after Willock’s knock down, before the former Benfica man rounded off the scoring himself in injury time. 

It was a dominant performance from start to finish from the hosts in W12, with Warburton’s side finishing the season with a flourish and playing some irresistible football to go with it. 

With successive away trips to Rotherham United, Middlesbrough and Swansea City on the horizon, the Hoops will be looking to take their home form on the road and look to continue their climb up the table. 

With the playoffs and relegation zone well out of reach, it would be easy for Rangers to take their foot off the gas in the final stretch of the campaign, but Warburton is determined his side keep building momentum - with eyes already on the 2021/22 season. 

“We are always playing for something, you have a professional responsibility, we have seven games left and it is important for the integrity of the Championship that we head into this with the best mentality as possible,” the QPR boss said. 

“It’s about pushing on, finishing as high up the league table as possible and the players building that winning mentality in preparation for next season.

“We have to be consistent with the players and understand that we are young squad with some senior pros, we have had a good second half to the season, we don’t want to peter away now, we want to finish strongly, take that into pre-season and see where we go from there.”