Sandro: 'I'm almost ready to make Queens Park Rangers return'

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Sandro has insisted that he will not rush back as he continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered last year.

The 25-year-old has not featured for the R's since November, when he damaged the medial ligaments in his right knee during his side's 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.

Having played 30 minutes against Brentford in an Under-21s fixture earlier this week, Sandro is now ready to feature against Chicago Fire in a second friendly which is being played behind closed doors later today.

"It is important for me not to rush back," the Brazilian told the club's official website. "If I am not 100% I could get another injury. I played against Brentford and I will play again today so slowly I will be ready.

"It was very good to be back - I've been looking forward playing again, I know have to improve my fitness a bit more but after my first game I feel good and strong.

"I know what I have done to get back now; when you get injured you lose conditioning and power, so I have worked hard in the gym to build this back up again. I feel I am nearly there now. After another week I think I will have improved my fitness even more and I will be ready."

Sandro has been restricted to just eight appearances for QPR since making a switch across London from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.