R’s look to bounce back against promotion chasing Baggies

Queens Park Rangers face West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night as the home side look to put their FA Cup defeat to Watford behind them.

QPR played well in the match but lacked quality in front of goal. The R’s captain Toni Leistner had a golden chance late on to level the scores but poked wide from close range and the 28-year-old realised the challenge which now presents itself on Tuesday.

“This is going to be a very tough game,” the German said. “Our match at their ground was our worst performance of the season but I think if we can play like we did against Watford then we will have a good opportunity to win.” – Toni Leistner on the West Brom fixture

The performance the summer signing from Union Berlin was referring to was the 7-1 demolition at the Hawthorns in August. That result at the time condemned Steve McClaren to a third straight defeat to open the season, their worst start to a season ever, whilst the thrashing was also their biggest defeat for over 30 years.

Results did turn around and QPR were just a point outside the play-off places by the end of October. Inconsistency has cost the R’s however and they now sit in 18^th, ten points outside the relegation places and 14 off the play-offs. Therefore, there doesn’t seem much to aspire towards other than Championship safety although McClaren will of course be keen to finish the season strongly and push towards a top half finish.

Their opponents West Brom currently sit in fourth place in the Championship having beaten midland rivals Aston Villa last weekend 2-0. Darren Moore’s side are looking to achieve the tough feat of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and experienced midfielder Gareth Barry was determined to see the job through when speaking to wbafc.co.uk.

“We’re all part of the relegation team and we’re working hard to try to get us back up which isn’t easy. You only have to look at the other teams that came down and see the scale of the challenge.

“We’ve got to go right to the end and keep working.”

QPR continue to be without Angel Rangel (thigh), Geoff Cameron (ankle) and Joel Lynch (back) while Nahki Wells took a knock in the game against Watford and is a doubt.

The visitors have injuries doubts of their own as Jonathan Leko (ankle) and Dwight Gayle (suspension) are definitely out of the fixture. Matt Phillips could return against his former club whilst Darren Moore is also hopeful on the fitness of midfielders James Morrison and Chris Brunt. Hal Robson-Kanu (knee) is also a doubt after sustaining an injury during West Brom’s win over Aston Villa.