Switch article view:Match preview QPR seek derby win over Fulham to get away from drop zone
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Saturday 25 February 2012 at 15:00, Loftus Road Stadium.
A year ago, the big question on QPR fans' minds was would they get back into the Premier League. Fast forward 12 months, and the question is - will they be staying?
A run of one Premier League win since 19 November has seen them drift gently down the table, and losses to fellow strugglers Wolves and Blackburn in the last two games have made sure they have been dragged well and truly into the quicksand at the foot of the table
Just two points cover the bottom five sides, who are well adrift of the teams above them, so new QPR manager Mark Hughes - formerly of Fulham - needs to start producing the goods immediately if Rangers want to be in the top flight next term.
Midfielder Samba Diakite, on loan from French side Nancy, could make his QPR debut after his return from the African Cup of Nations, and Bobby Zamora is likely to lead the line against his former side.
Fellow striker Djibril Cisse is suspended, while Heidar Helguson (groin), DJ Campbell and Luke Young (both hamstring) are still out injured.
Fulham duo Andrew Johnson and Philippe Senderos have both recovered from groin injuries in time to make the short journey down the Shepherds Bush Road.
The Hoops will have been particularly hopeful of avoiding another run-in with Johnson after he hit a hat-trick in Fulham's 6-0 thumping of their neighbours earlier in the season.
Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who scored before limping off on his debut against Stoke, is also available but midfielder Steve Sidwell is still out with an abdominal injury.
Listen to our football experts Russ Williams, Jim Proudfoot and Ian Wright for a look ahead to the weekend's games in Friday's edition of Ian Wright's podcast.
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