Super Eagles star Balogun makes long-awaited return for injury for Queens Park Rangers B 

Nigeria national teamer Leon Balogun made his long-awaited return from injury as Queens Park Rangers B defeated Birmingham City 2-0 in a Professional Development League fixture on Monday night, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

QPR head coach Gareth Ainsworth sent the central defender to the B team to improve his match fitness with a view to a possible return to the first team after the international break.

Ainsworth was in attendance at the the Powerday Stadium (London) to run the rule over Balogun and two other first team players Chris Willock and Ethan Laird, who were also returning from injury. 

In what seemed to be a premeditated substitution, Balogun was replaced by Ivo Rossi at halftime. 

The 34-year-old has not figured for the first team of the Hoops since November 8 when he lasted 45 minutes on the pitch in a 2-1 loss to Huddersfield Town because he was recovering from a calf injury. 

He was unavailable for selection for the last nineteen matches played by Queens Park Rangers - eighteen in the EFL Championship and one in the Emirates FA Cup. 

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro left him out of the roster for the international matches this month due to fitness issues. 

Queens Park Rangers earned three points against Birmingham City courtesy of goals from Hamzad Kargbo and Elijah Dixon-Bonner.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : qpr.co.uk

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