It was only August that QPR were desperate to offload misfit Junior Hoilett.

The winger was available on a free transfer, not least because the club wanted to shed his wages reported at anywhere between £40-50k-a-week.

And for all three years Hoilett has been with Rangers, he refused point blank to discuss his international aims - until now.

It was understood Hoilett was holding out for either England or Jamaica to come calling as well as Canada, bearing in mind he qualifies for all three.

Hit and miss: Hoilett in 2014 play-off final against Derby

But after debuting for the land of his birth in a friendly last month against Ghana, the Rs man gets his first taste of World Cup action in tomorrow’s early hours.

Canada take on Honduras in Vancouver, and four days later hit the road to El Salvador in a bid to make Russia 2018.

Interim head coach Neil Warnock reckoned Hoilett’s showing against Preston was one of the few pluses in the gritty 0-0 draw on Saturday.

Before that, deposed boss Chris Ramsey spoke about a player for whom he had all but given up hope.

“He came back firing from (his first) international," Ramsey said. "He came back and showed he’s got a desire in training and to be in the squad.

“What QPR have to to do now is get back that spark he had when he first came to the club (in 2012).

“He’s got talent. We just haven’t seen it in the way we would want.”

Apart from the poll below, a quick quiz to test your west London knowledge.

How many former QPR or Fulham players can be seen in the Canada team of 2003 about to face Ireland?

Post in comments, please.

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Do you want Junior Hoilett to stay at QPR?

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