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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Steven Railston

QPR defender Ethan Laird nears injury return ahead of Manchester United contract decision

Manchester United loanee Ethan Laird played his first game in over a month when making his return from injury on Monday night. Laird, who is on loan at Queens Park Rangers, sustained a hamstring injury against Swansea in January and, although the problem was initially not thought to be serious, the player last played on February 14 due to the issue.

After being absent for six games in the Championship, QPR are hopeful that Laird will be available to make their squad at the weekend, as the right-back played 45 minutes for their second team against Birmingham's Under-21s on Monday.

Laird has been a key player for QPR this season and he's started in every league game in which he's been available for. The London club are onto their third permanent manager of the season and he's kept his place, despite managerial change.

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Gareth Ainsworth was appointed at the end of last month and he watched Laird make his return from injury for QPR B Team.

This loan is the full-back's fourth spell away from Old Trafford. He's played for MK Dons, Swansea, Bournemouth and QPR and his United contract expires at the end of the season, although the club have the option of a one-year extension.

If the extension clause is not exercised, Laird, who came through the academy, will leave United on a free transfer.

Laird has been with United since the age of 10 and made his first-team debut in November 2019 in the Europa League.

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