Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will use QPR’s FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest next week as a try-out for his second string.
The gaffer said after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Hull it was about getting right blend rather than highfalutin ideas about honours.
The Capital Cup has been downgraded by plenty of mix-and-match in past seasons, and the world’s most famous domestic trophy is set to suffer the same fate as Hasselbaink goes in search of a more important first league win since he took over.
The likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Massimo Luongo, Alex Smithies and Michael Petrasso have been starved of recent chances. They look certain to play some part in the away day at the City Ground.
“At the moment, it's (the cup tie) not welcome,” Hasselbaink said.
“It's just another game, but it gives me a chance to look at others and give a few others to get a game.
“It also gives me a chance to look at a few other formations and take it from there.”
QPR’s abject cup record over the last 12 campaigns has seen them only twice make the fourth round to get no further.
Last season, a 3-0 home defeat to League One Sheffield United set the seal on a season's second half that saw them relegated at the end of it.
