Midfielder restricted to just 18 league appearances for Rs after summer move from Charlton Athletic

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Jordan Cousins says he is keen to kick on next term after an injury-disrupted debut campaign at Loftus Road.

After joining last summer from London rivals Charlton Athletic, the 23-year-old was restricted to just 18 appearances in the Championship.

Cousins has not featured for the west Londoners since January and had surgery on a quad muscle injury in April.

But with the young midfielder now back in full training, he hopes he can put his injury troubles behind him and do well for the Rs.

“I feel good within myself and hopefully all that hard work I’ve put in will pay off,” he told the club website.

“I had one week off and then I was in for the whole summer, doing at least three sessions a week. I feel in good shape and I’m ready to really kick on now.

“Last season was really frustrating for me. From March onwards, when I tore my quad off the bone, all I’ve been thinking about following that operation was getting fit for pre-season.

“It was a setback, but I’m more determined than ever to be fit for the new season.

“I’ve missed being in and around the lads on the training pitches.

“The main thing for me is to stay fit and make sure my body is in the right condition to prepare for a 46-game league season.

“I’ll do everything I can to be in the manager’s plans come the start of August when the action gets underway. Between now and then its up to me to show him what I can do.”

Like most of the QPR squad, Cousins is currently in Portugal being put through his paces at a pre-season training camp.

And the youngster believes the trip to the Iberian peninsula will do wonders for bringing the team together as a group ahead of the new campaign.

“Everyone is in good spirits and as a squad, you couldn’t wish for better facilities to train in,” added Cousins.

“Everything is catered for here - from the pitches, to the gym, to the hotel, to the food. It’s all first class.”

“It’s been a good, tough start to pre-season. The boys have come back in good shape and the manager has made it clear how happy he is with the work we’ve done in the summer, so we’re all in condition to really hit the ground running.”