Loan man could play a part, says Warne

Nearly two months since he signed in on a temporary deal from Norwich City, Morris finally hooked up with the first team squad at the Roundwood training ground this week having completed rehabilitation with his parent club following a hamstring injury.

The highly-rated young striker’s arrival is a boost for a side which has not scored in the last three matches and needs to take a point at Loftus Road to be sure of delaying relegation from the Championship until after the impending international break.

Speaking to the Advertiser this morning, interim boss Paul Warne said: "Carlton has had to be integrated into training a little bit because he's not 100 per cent. Saturday might be too soon for him to start but if gets through the next two days of training as he well as he has the last two then he will travel with the squad and could play a part.”

With Dexter Blackstock fit again and long-term absentee Jonson Clarke-Harris back in training and scheduled to take part in an 11-aside game to test his fitness, Warne says he could have five fit strikers available after the international break. For the first time in a long while, he also has 20 fit outfield players to call upon.

Interim coach Matt Hamshaw, meanwhile, confirmed today that the clash at Loftus Road will come too soon for Stephen Kelly and Richard Wood. Darnell Fisher is pushing for a squad place but Joel Ekstrand again misses out. Joe Mattock is suspended, leaving the way clear for a possible return for Ben Purrington at left-back.

Check out tomorrow’s Advertiser for much more from Paul Warne and an update from the club on the managerial situation.