Loan watch special - Tom passing physical test

Tom Carroll insists he's showing another side to his game in QPR’s title push in the Championship.

Always known for his passing game and ability to take possession under pressure, Tom says having to mix it in the midfield battlegrounds of the Championship is pushing his all-round game on.

The England U21 international returns to action when Rangers take on Bolton on tonight (Tuesday, January 28). The Rs are currently eight points behind high-flying leaders Leicester City with a game in hand.

“It’s going well at the moment,” said Tom, who has now played 14 times for the Loftus Road side, having missed six weeks due to an ankle injury suffered on international duty in October.

“The club is determined to gain promotion. We had a tricky run over Christmas and New Year, but we’ve picked up since then and we’re right up there again.

“Teams want to try and stop us and the frustrating thing is that a lot of the matches are becoming a bit scrappy. You have to grind out the results and we’ve been able to do that even though we’re not necessarily playing the football we want to play and enjoy playing.

“Physically it’s a test and something I’ve not been used to. I’ve done well and competed fine. Hopefully I will have improved on that front.

“People might not think I’ve got that side to my game but I’ve showed I can do that.

“You have to be the all-round player in the Premier League. There is some great football played in the Premier League but there will also be times when you have to have the physical side as well. That’s part and parcel of it.

“QPR is a great club and I’m getting that valuable game time and experience.”