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[Steve Russell]

From the Club...
'JACK McDowell admits he and the rest of QPR’s Development Squad can’t wait for
Thursday night’s Premier League Cup final.

Rangers welcome near neighbours Brentford for a 7pm kick-off under the lights in a winner-takes-all
showdown at MATRADE Loftus Road.

It sees the culmination of a memorable cup campaign for Paul Furlong’s youngsters, who’ve overcome strong
opposition in Leicester City (last 16), West Bromwich Albion (quarter-finals) and Burnley (semi-finals) to make it
all the way.

“We’ve loved it,” defender McDowell told www.qpr.co.uk. “It’s been amazing playing against Cat 1 teams and
beating them to get where we are.

“We’ve enjoyed every step of the way so far and we’re just looking forward to the final.

“The boys are buzzing for it.”

Brentford set up the West London/Middlesex affair by seeing off Southampton in the semis.

The Bees got the better of Rangers on both occasions in the league this term, so McDowell is under no i
llusions about the size of the task ahead.

“We know Brentford are a physical team with very good technical players,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough game.

“But we know with our team that we can beat anyone, so we’re just looking forward to it and can’t wait.”

It’s been a positive season too on a personal level for McDowell – his first in W12 after arriving from Aston Villa last
summer.

As well as playing his part for the R’s, the 19-year-old has enjoyed a loan spell in the National League South at Aveley.

Reflecting on the last 12 months, he said: “It’s been good, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I think I’ve got good minutes in the first half of the season with the Dev Squad playing consistently, and then getting
the loan experience was really good for me.

“Here it’s more about development in the league whereas in the men’s game it’s all about winning. That was something
I had to adapt to as well as dealing with the physical side of it which I definitely got from the loan spell.

“But the cup run has probably been the best part.”

Furlong’s youngsters were cheered on to victory by almost 1,000 fans last time out against Burnley and an even bigger
crowd is expected in W12 on Thursday.

“It’s going to be amazing,” McDowell said. “You could hear the fans throughout the semi-final and hopefully there’ll be
even more there for the final which will be great.

“To win the cup would be an amazing way to end the season. It would be special to have QPR fans doing their bit as well.
Hopefully we can give them something to look forward to and hopefully show them what we’ve got for the future of this
club.”

Fans are able to attend Thursday's game for FREE - all supporters must claim a ticket ahead of the fixture via our eticketing
site.

This fixture will also be streamed on QPR+ with more detailed access info to be provided shortly.'