QPR team news: Steven Caulker set for second start of the season in League Cup clash with Brentford

Steven Caulker could be handed his second start of the season for QPR against Brentford in the Carabao Cup tonight.

The defender is looking to rebuild his career after he admitted in the summer that he had been struggling with depression, gambling and drinking.

Rangers manager Ian Holloway is set to make a host of changes against Brentford and Caulker may feature in the west London derby at Loftus Road.

The 25-year-old played against Northampton in the previous round and his last appearance before that was in October last year.

QPR have made an impressive start to the season in the Championship and Holloway wants to protect some of his key players with Saturday’s trip to leaders Cardiff in mind.

Holloway said: “I will play some different players and I want our fans to understand that. Hopefully, I will give someone else a chance to have a go and we can keep this going.”

Brentford manager Dean Smith is also set to make a number of changes to his side ahead of their home game against Wolves on Saturday.

The Bees have taken just one point from their opening four games in the Championship and Smith said: “It will be nice to go there and get a win but the important thing is our League form. We have played four games and we could be sat with 12 points but we have one.”