David Wagner defended his call not to unleash new loan striker Sydney van Hooijdonk in the closing stages of Norwich City’s frustrating 2-2 Championship draw at QPR.

City were 2-1 in front at Loftus Road when goalscorer Josh Sargent departed, after what Wagner revealed afterwards was a disrupted training week due to fitness concerns around the US international.

Jack Stacey’s second half exit was also a necessity, after falling ill at the team hotel on Friday night.

But when QPR levelled in the 77th minute, new Bologna loan recruit van Hooijdonk remained on the bench, following his late debut against Coventry City the previous weekend.

The City boss made it clear in his pre-match briefing patience was needed while the 24-year-old adapted to life in England.

Wagner’s post-match comments at Loftus Road also suggested another factor in his decision was his belief Borja Sainz was already cautioned before he made way for Onel Hernandez - but the Spaniard was not one of four City bookings recorded in the official statistics on the Football League site.

“To be fair because of Borja’s yellow card we felt it was important to finish 11 against 11 if you'd like to have a chance,” he said. “Onel is a top impact player as we've seen. So (van Hooidjonk) this was not really in consideration. Barnsey (Ashley Barnes), I think, was a threat in the link up and obviously in front of goal as well.

"This is why this was not really in consideration for this game. Obviously, with Josh he struggled last week and he only trained (on Friday) so it was clear he could only play roughly 60 minutes if we like to start him on Tuesday again.

"Jack Stacey struggled (Friday evening). In the hotel, he started to get sick and was throwing up and was not able to get dinner, but luckily in the morning he looked better.

"But it was clear that we have to make two substitutions quite early in the game. And anything else obviously was then under consideration to try to win the game.”

Norwich Evening News:

QPR’s leveller came from a quickly-taken throw in.

“Credit to their ball boy, to be fair, because this quick throw in was made by him,” he said. “We switched off for a second and then immediately the cross came in quickly and the player came in front of Grant (Hanley) and was able to produce a first time finish.

“Our biggest challenge was not to get too emotional, to stay calm and when we did I think we looked very good in ball possession. We were able to break them down, created opportunities and had a few very good opportunities.

"We scored a wonderful goal from a set play. So credit to Hughesy (Andrew Hughes) for this idea as well.

“A little bit frustrated that we haven't won this game because this was possible. We said in half-time, ‘Guys, performance-wise, it's okay. It's not top class, but it's okay. Stay calm, don't get frustrated, play your football and then you have everything to keep a clean sheet to win the game. Believe, keep going, and this is exactly what the players have done’. Unfortunately, not in this one situation after this quick throw in, which cost us.”