JOE HODGE scored the winner for his new club – less than 48 hours after sitting on the bench against Manchester United.
The Wolves youngster, 21, was not used by Gary O’Neil on Thursday night as the Red Devils sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory.
Hodge and three other outfield players remained in the Wolves dugout as Pedro Neto appeared to rescue a point before Kobbie Mainoo’s 97th-minute finish.
The match kicked off at 8.15pm on Thursday evening – finishing just after 10pm.
And at 11.05pm – five minutes after the transfer window officially closed – QPR confirmed they had signed Hodge on loan for the remainder of the season.
Hodge then drove down from the West Midlands to West London overnight to train with his new team-mates on Friday.
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And after getting to know Marti Cifuentes and his squad, it is understood the Rs headed up to Lancashire later on Friday – a 224-mile journey from the TSG training ground in Hounslow to Ewood Park.
Hodge was then named among the substitutes when the team news was announced at 2pm for the Championship clash.
Cifuentes turned to Hodge as part of a triple change on 58 minutes.
And just seven minutes later, the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international tucked home in style.
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Joe Hodge’s hectic 48 hours
THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY
- 7.15pm – Named on Wolves bench vs Man Utd
- 8.15pm – Wolves vs Man Utd kicks off
- 10.17pm – Full-time at Molineux
- 11.00pm – Transfer window closes
- 11.05pm – QPR announce Hodge loan signing
FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY
- Hodge drives 140 miles from Molineux to London
- Trains with new QPR team-mates at TSG training ground
- QPR team travel 224 miles to Blackburn
SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY
- 2.00pm – Hodge named on QPR bench
- 3.00pm – Kick-off between Blackburn and QPR
- 4.16pm – Hodge comes off bench for debut
- 4.23pm – Hodge scores to make it 2-0
- 4.59pm – Full-time at Ewood Park as QPR win 2-1
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That put the Hoops 2-0 up with two goals in three minutes.
And although Sam Gallagher pulled one back for Blackburn, there was no repeat of the late chaos from two nights ago as QPR held on for a crucial three points as they battle to avoid relegation to League One.
Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of adoration for Hodge on social media after his whirlwind couple of days.
One fan said: “Joe Hodge I love you with all my heart xx”
Another wrote: “What a start to Hodge’s career. Glad you made the trip down from Wolves. Thank you!”
A third added: “Could Joe Hodge be the best thing Gary O’Neil has done for QPR since getting sent off at Wembley?”
And a final user commented: “Don’t fall in love with a loan player, don’t fall in love with a loan player, don’t fall in love with a loan player… (10 mins into Joe Hodge debut) Never leave.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
