Israeli striker Hemed, 31, secured a season-long loan deal with the Championship side from Brighton on Thursday and he proved an instant hit - with a sweetly struck first-half volley enough to see off Wigan Athletic at Loftus Road.

"Tomer made a huge difference," enthused QPR boss Steve McClaren. "We had no money to buy and have been praying for the window to end and the loan market to open, because that’s all we can take.

"The team looked to have more belief, character and resilience to fight because we know we've got chances to score," he said.

"We're going to have to change and adapt and build a team around Tomer and Nahki Wells, but you see the experience that they've got.

"I think they'll get better because they weren't fit, we just threw them in and on adrenaline they've come through.

"We're just delighted at the quality of Nakhi and Tomer - they deserve a lot of credit and the supporters should acknowledge that."