Defender Joel Lynch among those who remained behind at Harlington after not being on duty over international break

Brent & Kilburn Times: Joel Lynch of Queens Park Rangers (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo)Joel Lynch of Queens Park Rangers (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo) (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Queens Park Rangers return to action following the recent international break with a trip to Stoke City in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.

Several Rs players, including Massimo Luongo and Paul Smyth, linked up with their national sides, while others were kept busy on the training ground in Harlington.

Among those not to link up with their national teams was defender Joel Lynch, whose solitary cap for Wales came in 2012.

Along with QPR skipper Toni Leistner, the 31-year-old has formed one of the most formidable centre-back partnerships in the division.

However, that did not prove sufficient enough for Wales boss Ryan Giggs to pick Lynch in his latest squad, instead plumping for the likes of Stoke’s Ashley Williams and Tom Lockyer of Bristol Rovers.

Lynch will now have to wait until March next year for his next chance to earn an international recall, but the defender is keen to maintain his form to get back in the Wales squad.

“I’ve really concentrated on myself and my fitness, things I haven’t done in the past which I should have done,” said the former Brighton & Hove Albion man.

“At the minute, I’m enjoying playing for Queens Park Rangers; I’m playing well and have had a good run of games. I feel like I’m playing well and I’d love to get in the Wales squad, but that’s something for the future.

“If I keep playing, I’m sure I won’t be far away from a call-up.”

Lynch will be looking to play his part for QPR this weekend as they hope the trip to Stoke’s bet365 Stadium yields a fifth win in their last six league matches.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Loftus Road club, who sit just two points off the top six despite losing their first four league games this term.

And Lynch is thrilled the west Londoners have been able to silence their critics with their recent form.

“Without getting too carried away, it’s good that people are starting to talk about QPR in a more positive way,” he added.

“We didn’t start the season very well at all and it was embarrassing at times. To change it around has been good from us, but it’s come from a lot of hard work.

“We have to keep approaching games in the same way and keep picking up points.”