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MARK Warburton says that his QPR squad will be fit and firing for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash away at promotion favourites Leeds United.
The R’s suffered their first defeat in four games on Monday night, losing out to Brentford in W12, but the boss insists that there will be no sign of a hangover when they walk out at Elland Road.
“It’s a demanding league; the games come thick and fast so you can’t be sitting there and feeling sorry for yourself,” the manager told www.qpr.co.uk. “It was a difficult decision to accept [the penalty on Monday], the nature of it, but it is what it is and you have to move on very quickly
“I’m expecting a high-energy performance in front of a packed Elland Road, which is a fantastic football stadium. Leeds will be at home and keen to deliver a performance in front of their own supporters.
“We go there as apparent underdogs but we have gone to tough places this year and have shown that we can win games of football; we’ve shown we can control games of football.
“We prepare well for it and we go there with absolute respect for our opposition. They’re a very tough opponent with a very good squad but it’s about us going there and being confident in what we do.
“We need maintain our concentration and focus and understand all of the implications of playing in a tough away venue.”
Warburton will be able to welcome Jordan Hugill back into his squad for the trip to Leeds. The striker missed the Brentford game through suspension, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Reading last week.
The manager said: “He’s scored seven goals. Our two goalscorers have got 15 goals between them and it is good to welcome Jordan back.
“He has a physicality about his play, he knows the division well and he and Nahki have formed a great partnership, so I’m delighted to welcome him back. He’s a very important player for us.”
The boss also provided a team news update, with Yoann Barbet and Matt Smith both having missed the Brentford game on Monday.
Warburton said: “Yoann tweaked a muscle. He’s never had one [this type of injury] before, would you believe, so he has been very fortunate up until this point. The medical team are superb and they have been working with him.”
He added: “Matty Smith has struggled with some niggling injuries, which have been really frustrating for him. We’re keen to have his services available and he is back in full training now and can get a few more days under his belt. Other than that, we are in good shape.”
The R’s suffered their first defeat in four games on Monday night, losing out to Brentford in W12, but the boss insists that there will be no sign of a hangover when they walk out at Elland Road.
“It’s a demanding league; the games come thick and fast so you can’t be sitting there and feeling sorry for yourself,” the manager told www.qpr.co.uk. “It was a difficult decision to accept [the penalty on Monday], the nature of it, but it is what it is and you have to move on very quickly
“I’m expecting a high-energy performance in front of a packed Elland Road, which is a fantastic football stadium. Leeds will be at home and keen to deliver a performance in front of their own supporters.
“We go there as apparent underdogs but we have gone to tough places this year and have shown that we can win games of football; we’ve shown we can control games of football.
“We prepare well for it and we go there with absolute respect for our opposition. They’re a very tough opponent with a very good squad but it’s about us going there and being confident in what we do.
“We need maintain our concentration and focus and understand all of the implications of playing in a tough away venue.”
Warburton will be able to welcome Jordan Hugill back into his squad for the trip to Leeds. The striker missed the Brentford game through suspension, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Reading last week.
The manager said: “He’s scored seven goals. Our two goalscorers have got 15 goals between them and it is good to welcome Jordan back.
“He has a physicality about his play, he knows the division well and he and Nahki have formed a great partnership, so I’m delighted to welcome him back. He’s a very important player for us.”
The boss also provided a team news update, with Yoann Barbet and Matt Smith both having missed the Brentford game on Monday.
Warburton said: “Yoann tweaked a muscle. He’s never had one [this type of injury] before, would you believe, so he has been very fortunate up until this point. The medical team are superb and they have been working with him.”
He added: “Matty Smith has struggled with some niggling injuries, which have been really frustrating for him. We’re keen to have his services available and he is back in full training now and can get a few more days under his belt. Other than that, we are in good shape.”
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