In a boost for Bert van Marwijk and the Caltex Socceroos, Massimo Luongo will be rested from QPR’s final two matches in the English Championship.
The midfielder, who made 39 appearances for the R’s this season, has been given leave from the club in order to ‘recharge’ ahead of Australia’s World Cup campaign in Russia.
With QPR safely entrenched in 16th spot and well clear of the relegation zone, Rangers’ boss Ian Holloway explained that the decision was in the best interests of both the player and club.
"I can't tell you how proud I'll be to see a Rangers player playing on the biggest stage of them all this summer.
"We've had to think a bit long-term with this one because our priority is his health and well-being ahead of next season.
"With that in mind - and to ensure he's back up-and-running as quickly as possible in pre-season - we've given him a couple of weeks off to rest-up ahead of him meeting up with the Socceroos, which will, in turn, allow us to get him back quicker than normal after the World Cup.
"At the same time, it will allow me to have a look at some of our younger midfielders in the last two matches of the season, so it's a win-win from that point of view."
Luongo is expected to be included in van Marwijk’s Preliminary World Cup squad set to be named next month.