Queens Park Rangers vs Manchester Cit preview - QPR hit by injuries

Posted Saturday, November 05, 2011 by PA

QPR are struggling to fill their bench for the Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City.

Shaun Derry is out with a groin problem, Akos Buzsaky has an Achilles complaint, Rob Hulse is sidelined with a knee injury and DJ Campbell is missing to foot damage.

However, Kieron Dyer could return from his foot injury while Adel Taarabt may play despite suffering from a stomach complaint.

Boss Neil Warnock has challenged his side to put up a good challenge in the clash.

"We`d like to give a good account of ourselves and show why we deserve to be in the Premier League," he said.

"It`s great for me as a manager to pit my wits against these teams.

"We`ve got to try and find a way of giving them a game and that`s what we`ve been doing this week."

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany misses out as he serves a suspension for his sending off against Wolves.

Playmaker David Silva will be assessed after being substituted during the midweek Champions League win at Villarreal with a back injury.

Joleon Lescott is expected to return in place of Kompany with Stefan Savic retaining his spot. Owen Hargreaves will hope to be in contention after a minor calf injury but Carlos Tevez is likely to remain frozen out.

City boss Roberto Mancini knows only too well where the main danger to his side could come from - his former player Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The 30-year-old winger has shone at Loftus Road since leaving City in August in the hope of getting more first-team opportunities.

Wright-Phillips had found chances limited among City's star-studded squad but his departure from the Etihad Stadium was amicable.

Unlike the cases involving Craig Bellamy and Emanuel Adebayor, Mancini still wanted to keep Wright-Phillips in his plans but could not offer any guarantees over appearances.

Mancini said: "I am sure Shaun will want to play very well against us, but I am happy because now he plays in every game - and he deserves that because he is a good guy and a good player.

"We need to pay attention to him on Saturday."