Premier League preview: QPR v Everton

Everton hopes its depleted line-up will be restored in time for their Premier League clash with QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday.

Darron Gibson has been sidelined for a month with a thigh injury but a recent scan revealed he could line up for Everton against Rangers.

The midfielder injured himself in a 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on September 1, and was expected to miss only three weeks but is expected to be fit for the weekend.

Everton most recently drew against Wigan Athletic 2-2 on the back of a late strike from Leighton Baines.

The side also recorded wins in their previous two games including a 3-1 defeat of Southampton and a 3-0 win over Swansea City.

In both matches Everton have capitalized in the first half scoring a combined five goals and will look to a similar performance against QPR to help them keep the pace with the top four in the early stages of the season.

They sit in fourth position on the table, tied with WBA and Tottenham.

Midfielder Maroune Fellaini is expected to return for Everton after missing a World Cup qualifier for Belgium earlier this week with a knee complaint.

Injury concerns also circle around Kevin Mirallas – the forward strained his hamstring on international duty also with Belgium, but will make the trip to QPR and remains in contention to start.

The last-placed QPR have lost their past three league matches, going down to WBA 3-2, West Ham 2-1 and Tottenham 2-1.

Off-season recruits Esteban Granero and Stephane Mbia have taken time to adjust to play within the English top-flight, and QPR will hope their continual improvement will help produce more successful results in Sunday’s match-up.

Full-back Fabio, on loan from Manchester United, is expected to return for the match from a hamstring injury and would help to strengthen QPR’s backline.

Midfielder Adel Taarabt has provided an attacking presence for QPR scoring a goal in each of the sides last two matches.

QPR is yet to record a win in the Premier League season and will be looking to their home field advantage to help them secure the allusive victory.

Manager Mark Hughes has been under pressure because of the side’s 2012 performance so far but a win would see QPR move out of the bottom three and provide a needed stress release for the side.

The last time these teams met it ended in a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road last season, with Royston Drenthe’s opener cancelled out by a Bobby Zamora strike.