QPR v Norwich - Match preview and team news
Saturday’s early kick-off sees an out-of-form Norwich travel to Loftus Road to take on a QPR side that could make as many as nine changes from the side that Mark Hughes took to Carrow Road earlier this season for a 1-1 draw. New boss Harry Redknapp has been as busy as ever in the transfer market and all three of his deadline-day captures, record-signing Christopher Samba, Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend, could make their debuts against the Canaries.
Redknapp’s men are unbeaten in the Premier League so far in 2013 but still lie bottom of the table by four points and with time rapidly running out if they are to preserve their top division status. Thus, the boss will be pleased that Junior Hoilett has shaken off a hamstring injury to take his place in the matchday squad and could line up on the bench alongside Bobby Zamora. Fellow forward Jamie Mackie is doubtful with tonsillitis, while Shaun Wright-Phillips is struggling with an ankle injury.
Chris Hughton will hope that new signing Luciano Becchio can make a goalscoring debut after his deadline-day move from Leeds and help re-ignite a Norwich season that is beginning to stagnate with only two points taken from their last 22 available to leave them in 14th place, still seven points above the drop zone, but increasingly close to the struggling likes of Newcastle, Southampton, Reading, Wigan and Aston Villa.
Kei Kamara, another late signing, is not expected to receive a work permit in time to make his debut but Hughton has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from, with only John Ruddy a long-term absentee with a thigh injury.
Related Articles
|