Queens Park Rangers head into this weekend’s clash with Brentford on the back of a narrow defeat to Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

That reverse was their first defeat in six matches having won their previous three in a row.

Steve McClaren’s men sit 11th in the Championship on 23 points, just three off of a top-six position.

This weekend marks the last round of matches before the final international break of the calendar year with teams in the top two tiers jockeying for position ahead of two-weeks without domestic competition.

The result of this weekend’s match will set the tone for the fortnight off and impact the approach taken to improve on the previous clutch of fixtures.

With injuries, players out of form or the need to make small alternations to help improve their side, the Hoops’ boss will surely be considering his team for Saturday.

With that said, here are two changes McClaren should consider making to his QRR side ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Bees.

With Tomer Hemed still a doubt ahead of the derby with Brentford, Matt Smith would be a like-for-like replacement and the perfect big man to compliment Nahki Wells in the attack.

Brentford are a good passing side and being at home this weekend; Steve McClaren will be hoping for an attacking display from his team.

That is why he needs to go back to two up-top and put pressure on the Bees’ backline with the inclusion of Smith.

Brentford have a tricky winger in Said Benrahma, and against Angel Rangel, he will turn him inside and out with his trickery.

Having the youthful and quick Darnell Furlong back in the squad, Steve McClaren should look to have him in from the start to try and suppress the Bees attacker as best he can.

It will be a hard task, but the agility of Furlong could be a better option that than of Rangel.