Premier League preview: QPR v Blackburn

Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers will have plenty to atone for when the two sides go head-to-head at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Neil Warnock’s men were embarrassed 6-0 at Fulham before the international break, but despite the thrashing, they remain in 11th spot on the English Premier League table, with eight points from seven matches played.

Former Aston Villa defender Luke Young said his side need to respond immediately.

“Hopefully we can bounce back this weekend,” Young told the club’s official website.

“At home we have been playing good football without getting the wins.”

“We’ve picked up a couple of draws but I felt that – particularly in the first halves – we really took it to our opposition.”

“We will be playing the same way this weekend and if Blackburn come at us, it may help us to get in behind them.”

Rovers have been largely underwhelming this campaign, registering just four points in their opening seven games, and most recently being on the wrong end of a 4-0 result at home to Manchester City.

Steve Kean’s men can take some comfort from a promising first-half, during which they kept out City’s star-studded line-up.

But Rovers crumbled in the second 45 minutes, with goals from Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic doing the damage.

Blackburn have no new injury worries to contend with as they seek to make amends.

Fullback Michel Salgado is close to returning from a hamstring injury, while centre back Ryan Nelson could make his first appearance of the season following knee surgery.

Midfielder David Dunn has missed the last three matches due to a calf problem, but could return at Loftus Road.

For QPR, a knee injury is likely to keep Danny Gabbidon on the sidelines, and fellow defender Matthew Connelly also in doubt.

Further forward, striker Rob Hulse is nearing a return from knee trouble, but attacking midfielder Kieron Dyer is a long-term absentee with a foot problem.