Burnley boss Vincent Kompany provides progress report on summer signings Scott Twine and Darko Churlinov ahead of Sunday's game against QPR

The duo have both endured lengthy absences since respective moves from MK Dons and VfB Stuttgart, playing just 70 minutes of Championship football between them.

Last season's League One Player of the Year, who netted 20 times for the play-off semi-finalists, has been missing since the opening day of the season, following his cameo in the victory over Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium.

Churlinov, a Macedonia international, has been sidelined since September having made a couple of appearances from the bench away at Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, where he hit the post.

However, the pair have been back in full training for the past month and Manchester City legend Kompany revealed that they've both been involved in a couple of behind-closed-door friendlies during the break for the Qatar World Cup.

"When we lose a player through injury, or whatever the reason is, our goal is to try and get the player back stronger and I see signs that these players have developed in areas where they might have still been lacking," he said.

"Now it's just about finding the game time; we've had some friendly games which helped us, but it's time to see what they can bring in the real games now. Hopefully that'll be soon.

"They've been involved. For where they're at, definitely [pleased], but for where they're at, as they've been out for a long time."

Leading scorer Jay Rodriguez is also in contention for Sunday's trip to Loftus Road as the league leaders take on play-off hopefuls QPR.

The striker missed the East Lancashire derby success over Blackburn Rovers in mid-November as Ashley Barnes stepped in to score a brace.

The frontmen are vying for a start in West London and it's just the type of dilemma that Kompany desires going into games.

He said: "It was unfortunate that he [Rodriguez] missed that game, but not for Barnesy of course! We knew it wasn't going to be too long before we got him back.

"It's perfect. One will play, the other one won't, you've just got to get on with it and work hard. Whoever is playing has got to be good and that's exactly what I want. It's been my life for a long time, during my career, which is why I never see it any differently.

"I wouldn't say it's a headache, it's something I really want to create. Over a long period of time if your players handle that type of pressure well they get better. I'm hoping that will help us as well."