Albion fans gave Jack Hinshelwood a warm welcome back to action at Loftus Road.

The midfielder or full-back enjoyed his first playing time since the day he scored against Crystal Palace six months previously.

Hinshelwood’s season was ended by foot surgery and he did not feature in the two friendlies in Tokyo, although he was part of the trip.

He had time in both full-back slots on Saturday and could suit a system where such players slot into midfield at times.

Carlos Baleba played an hour at left-back in what looked very much like a 4-4-2 from kick-off.

On this occasion, Fabian Huerzeler gave all his starters at least an hour whereas previously no outfield player had previously had more than 45 minutes at a time.

Joel Veltman played the full game but had two roles, starting at right-back and then going to central defence for the closing stages.

Ibrahim Osman played wide on the left when he was introduced.

Albion: Steele; Veltman, Webster (Samuels 74), van Hecke (Weir 74), Baleba (Hinshelwood 62); Minteh (Cozier-Duberry 74), Milner (Wieffer 62), Ayari (Moran 74), Mitoma (Osman 62); Sarmiento (Buonanotte 74), Welbeck (O’Mahony 74). Unused subs: Rushworth, Yalcouye, Peupion.