Sam Saunders has warned Brentford fans not to expect too much too soon from Lewis Macleod.

The Bees faithful have been waiting patiently for a glimpse of the Scotland U21 international since he was signed from Rangers on New Year's Eve last year.

Initially sidelined by a hamstring injury picked up in his last game for the Glasgow giants, Macleod's rehabilitation was hit by an almost comical setback when tripping over a twig on the training ground.

Having been an unused sub for the play-off semi-final first leg defeat to Middlesbrough in May, yesterday's development squad win over QPR was Macleod's first action of any kind in six months, having featured in another second string game against Nottingham Forest in April.

With Macleod, who scored what turned out to be the winner against QPR, being primed for a potential place in the first team after the international break, Saunders, who continued his own rehab against the Rs, pleaded caution.

Caution: Sam Saunders

He said: “I'm delighted for Lewis, he has worked so hard to get fit again, and there is definitely more to come from him.

“He needs to get into the team on a consistent basis now, but at the same time we have to be careful with him as he has been out for a long time.

“I know myself, having had my fair share of injuries, how people can expect you to hit the ground running, but ideally you need five or six reserve games under your belt.

“He's a cracking player, and you see he's got bags of potential, but you can't expect him to be the player he can potentially be straight away.

“He looks sharp though, and that goal will have given him bags of confidence after all the terrible luck he has had.”