Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has hailed the return of midfielder Alejandro Faurlin following a lengthy absence through injury.

The 26-year-old has been out of action for seven months after suffering a knee injury last season but returned to the field for QPR's 3-0 win over Walsall in the second round of the League Cup last night.

"I saw him before I arrived here but he was injured the day before I got this role," said Hughes. "That was a disappointment because I'd seen him and admired him from afar when he was in the Championship.

"Not getting the opportunity was a big loss to everyone because he would certainly have made a big impact towards the back end of last year. We missed his guile on occasions."

Faurlin has been at Loftus Road since 2009.