A hamstring problem prevented Clint Hill from playing in the 3-2 defeat to Middlesbrough - but QPR gaffer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insists he would have returned Grant Hall to the centre of defence anyway.

Veteran Hill ably plugged the gap left by the ex-Spurs defender when he too was injured last month, with the 37-year-old believing he has one more season in him when his contract runs out in May.

Hall has been the find of an indifferent season for Rs, but his boss admitted the reverse to Boro, that all but ends faint play-off hopes, was not the defender's finest hour-and-a-half.

A double slip by him led to Middlesbrough’s first goal scored by Jordan Rhodes, with Hall looking a tad ring-rusty.

“He didn’t have his best game today, but that’s how it is and I’ll stand by him,” Hasselbaink added.

“I was always going to bring Grant in, maybe not today; maybe the next match - but I was always going to bring him back, because we believe in him and find that he is the future at QPR.

“Clint Hill has a hamstring injury, that’s why he was also not on the bench. We hope he recovers quickly, but we don’t know if he will play Tuesday against Leeds.”

poll loading

Did the QPR v Middlesbrough result reflect the play?