Latest on Middlesbrough injury setbacks as assistant claims they should have been awarded a penalty at QPR

First-half goals from new Boro signing Chuba Akpom and Rangers playmaker Bright Osayi-Samuel saw both sides take a point at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Yet both teams felt they should have received a spot kick when the scores were level, with Rangers boss Mark Warburton claiming the ball hit George Saville’s arm in the box.

When asked for his assessment after the game, Blackwell, who once again took charge of the team in Neil Warnock’s absence, said: “We are a bit frustrated really because I thought we created the better chances.

“QPR were a threat on the break but that was more to do with our final ball not being as good as it could be.

“I thought it was a penalty on Hally all day long, I don't get how the referee hasn't seen it.

“I came here a couple of weeks ago to see QPR against Forest and they did really well so we knew it was going to be tough.”

Hall was forced off with a calf injury shortly after half-time and walked straight down the tunnel to receive treatment.

“He has got a bit of a calf strain,” said Blackwell when asked about the defender. “He'll be scanned on Monday and we'll see where we go from there. Until we get that scan we don't know the extent of the damage.”

Boro made one change from the side which drew with Bournemouth last weekend as Akpom came in to make his debut in place of Ashley Fletcher.

Fletcher wasn’t in the squad after picking up a knock last time out and Blackwell didn’t feel it was worth risking the frontman.

“We spoke to the trainer yesterday and it was just a bit tight and niggly,” said Blackwell when quizzed on Fletcher.

“After next month we've got 20 games in October and November. It's half a season. You don't want to be risking it.

“If Akpom hadn't signed we might have had to gamble but thankfully we didn't.”

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