QPR Under-21 manager Steve Gallen has told his players to roll their sleeves up and prove to Harry Redknapp that they are good enough for play for the first team.

The Rs face Burton Albion in the League Cup on Wednesday and, with Redknapp focused on staying in the Premier League this season, he may opt to give youth a chance.

Gallen said: “The manager was at every one of the Under-21 matches at Harlington last season.

“I know there is a lot of nonsense being said that he doesn’t want to give the young players a chance – he does, but he also wants to win.

“At the end of last season he gave Michael Petrasso and Coll Donaldson a run out against Barnsley, so they have both played in the Championship for QPR.

“There are a few of them that he likes – I know he does because he was saying it to me the other day.

“But does he like them enough that he is going to play them in every game if he can go out and get a striker who will get QPR 20 goals?

“I honestly believe, and I’ve got to know the manager quite well, that he will play any of them – but he has to believe it.

“He has to to see it and believe, to see the attitude in training every single day for him to say ‘ok, I will go with you’, as opposed to signing someone that he knows is going to do the job he wants.”

Gallen also hailed the work of sports psychologist Steve Black, who is helping his players with their mental approach to the game.

He said: “Steve Black came in not really knowing anyone. I like him a lot. He really brightened this place up when he arrived last season but he doesn’t feel the pressure.

“I see this with a lot my players – they fill their minds with negative thoughts. He will help those guys.

“He will tell them that if they walk out on the pitch with negative thoughts they will play badly, and I agree with that.

“You need to roll up your sleeves and stick your chest out – I think of people like Clint Hill when I think of that mentality.

“Joey Barton is very good as well like that and Charlie Austin is the same.”

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