Steve McClaren has suggested QPR fans do not get ahead of themselves in regards to Grant Hall's recovery, he told West London Sport.

What's the word?

Making his return to first-team action in the Carabao Cup victory over Bristol Rovers recently, Grant Hall is fighting towards a recovery and is hopeful of returning to regular first-team football at Loftus Road imminently.

The defender missed a large chunk of last season with a knee injury and underwent surgery earlier this year, with McClaren identifying the current international break as crucial in Hall's recovery - and has suggested he is still some way off being 100%.

With QPR struggling defensively at the start of the season, fans will hope that Hall is fully fit imminently but McClaren told West London Sport that his recovery could take a while.

What was said?

"The main thing is that he came through 60 minutes and is OK. He carries on the rehab and it’s going to be quite a while. The international break is going to be huge for all of us in terms of him and of us (the coaching staff) working with the team."

Worth the risk?

With QPR enduring a tough start to the new season, conceding 13 goals in their first six matches of 2018-19, it may be tempting to push Grant Hall towards a return to bolster the defence with his experience - but it would be an unnecessary risk.

[brid autoplay="true" video="290059" player="12034" title="Watch The FFC Accy Show Put the international break to good use"]

At 26, Hall still has the best years of his career ahead of him and rushing him back to action could lead to further injury complications - which could, in turn, affect his long-term future at the club and in football in general.

Therefore, McClaren must rely on the likes of Toni Leistner, Joel Lynch and Alex Baptiste to hold down the fort for the time being.

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