QPR host relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday

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With Queens Park Rangers’ status in the Championship secured for another season, Saturday’s opponents Sheffield Wednesday will aim to benefit from any lapse in concentration.

Darren Moore’s Owls are languishing in 23rd but will take confidence from an impressive victory over Cardiff last time out. A double from Adam Reach helped Wednesday to a 5-0 win over Mick McCarthy’s side.

QPR languished to a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground but Mark Warburton remains focused on ending the Championship season in positive fashion for the R’s.

“It’s of no desire to be happy with a defeat, far from it. But as I said to the players after the game, I am not going to come in screaming and shouting, you have to make sure that you recognise the situation and speak to the players appropriately.

“But heading into these final few games I want to see some strong performances, keep building self-belief and a continued understanding of the style of play.

“There are seven important games to go, these are vital for the integrity of the Championship, it’s such a fantastic league and the end prize is so significant, it’s important that we maintain the integrity of that.”

The home side will be without Charlie Austin, who has six goals since his return in January, will be suspended following an incident in the defeat to Forest. The striker has six goals for QPR since the turn of the year, more than twice as many as any of his teammates.

A strong foundation at home has helped QPR to a comfortable position in the table this season. Warburton’s men have won six of their last eight home league games and have not lost back-to-back home league games against Wednesday since 2000.

Wednesday have no fresh injury concerns heading into Saturday’s fixture at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, with Moore himself back to full health after recovering from the effects of Covid-19.

The former West Brom manager issued encouragement to his team ahead of the contest against the R’s.

“QPR have played some really good stuff this season and we know we’re going to need to be at our absolute best to leave London with something on Saturday.

“We’re not looking at anybody else and I’ve made that clear to the players.

“We need to look at ourselves and that’s what we’ve been doing. We’re just making sure we’re working to our maximum for the football club.”

Seven points remains the gap to Birmingham as the Owls focus on the remaining seven games to save their season. A victory in London on Saturday afternoon feels vital to any remaining ambitions on beating the drop.

Tom Hardy will be at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday afternoon for QPR’s fixture with Sheffield Wednesday

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