Youngsters Stephen Duke-McKenna and Nathan Carlyle have both joined National League South side, Hemel Hempstead, on initial one-month loan deals as they look to earn more experience in the senior game, QPR have confirmed on their website.

The Hoops take on Preston North End this evening in the Sky Bet Championship and will be eager to build on their draw away at Bournemouth, a game that they might have felt they could have got a win from.

For Duke-McKenna and Carlyle, meanwhile, it's about building senior experience and they will hope to do exactly that for Hemel Hempstead, who are currently second bottom of their league having lost the first three games of the season.

The pair are eligible to feature for their new temporary club in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round tie with Hampton & Richmond this weekend, meanwhile, and so will be eager to show what they can do if they get the chance.

The Verdict

QPR have shown time and again they will give youngsters the chance to feature if they are good enough and also the opportunity to go out on loan if they think it will benefit them in the long-term.

This is the aim with this double move, then, and if they do well in the next month perhaps a longer stay for the rest of the season can be looked at.