Rangers travel to the north-west this weekend to face Burnley. Neither side has anything important to play for having alomst certainly guarenteed safety but Rangers caretaker boss Gary Waddock has promised to ring the changes after two successive home defeats.
Vital Quotes:
‘I gave the players an opportunity to put things right (against Crewe) but they didn’t take it and there will be changes for the next game at Burnley.’ Gary Waddock after last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Crewe.
‘The lads who’ve come in recently like Andy Gray, Phil Bardsley and Alan Mahon have given everyone a lift and there’s some healthy competition now.
We had three good headers and Gray also had a good chance.
With four gilt-edged chances like that, we’re disappointed to have not taken all three points.’- Steve Cotterill after last week’s goaless draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Burnley Team News:
John McGreal and Micah Hyde both return to the Clarets’ squad. Defender McGreal had been struggling with a calf problem whilst Hyde has been nursing a knee injury. Danny Coyne (knee) and Wayne Thomas (foot) are out for the season.
Player to watch: Alan Mahon (Midfield)
Mahon is an enterprising Irish midfielder with a keen eye for goal. He made his name with Tranmere in England’s third tier before leaving to join Portugese outfit Sporting Lisbon. He struggled to settle in and was sent back to Blackburn on loan before signing a permanent deal in 2001 for £1.5million. After three injury wrecked season’s at Ewood Park he tried his luck on loan with Ipswich Town and Cardiff before finally signing for Wigan Athletic in 2004.
Mahon was a key squad member in Wigan’s rise to the Premiership but since promotion to the country’s elite league he found opportunities hard to come by and Burnley moved in to sign him on loan initially.
The fluent midfielder is still settling in at Turf Moor but should he stay fit he will be a key asset with a superb passing range and key eye for goal.
Q.P.R. Team News:
Kevin Gallen is almost certain to return to the starting XI after completing his three game ban for violent conduct against Brighton. Gallen twinged a hamstring in training this week but should be OK to return. Paul Furlong and Marc Nygaard are fighting to partner him in attack with Stefan Moore likely to feature from the bench.
Scott Donnelly is pushing for a start following two excellent performances in the Reserve team. Fellow youngster Stefan Bailey may also be in line for a start in the centre of midfield. Lee Cook will continue his good form on the left side of midfield, Marc Bircham, Steve Lomas and Gareth Ainsworth’s places are all under pressure from the youngsters.
At the back Danny Shittu and Mauro Milanese are the two certain starters. Milanese had three stiches above his eye but like Gallen should shake off the injury and start. Ian Evatt and Marcus Bignot may have to fight off competition from Georges Santos and Marcin Kus if they are to feature from the off.
Paul Jones is likely to continue between the sticks and Simon Royce will remain on the bench.
Sammy Youssouf is struggling with a back injury and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Matthew Rose will not play again this season and is going for an operation on Saturday. They joins long term casualties Martin Rowlands, Tommy Doherty and Dominic Shimmin on the sidelines.
Andrew Howell and Shabazz Baidoo are also included in the squad and Waddock has promised to use them over the remaining week’s of the season.
Player to watch: Lee Cook
Cookie’s recent form has been one of the main reasons Rangers fans aren’t too gloomy. The Rangers fan has shown the Loftus Road some lovely examples of fine wing play and his sweet left foot has already contributed to 11 goals this season (the second highest in the league).
Match Facts & Stats
Rangers have taken no points from 9 of 12 previous trips to Turf Moor. In April 2005 Burnley won 2-0 against an inexperienced Rangers side and the R’s haven’t won in our last six fixtures.
Burnley have only won once in their last six games, drawing twice and losing three times. Their last two fixtures have ended in a draw.
Ref Watch:
Ray Olivier (West Midlands)
Match Prediction:
A tight affair ending in a draw. VITAL QPR prediction- 1-1
Next Fixtures:
15th April 2006 Vs Derby County (H)
7th April 2006 Vs Norwich City (A)
2nd April 2006 Vs Watford (H)
30th April 2006 Vs Reading (A)