QPR boss Michael Beale isn’t feeling intimidated by their challenging schedule over the next week, which starts at Ashton Gate on Saturday against Bristol City.
The Rs welcome back midfielder Luke Amos and defender Jake Clarke-Salter to the squad for the forthcoming trip to the West Country, which pits sixth against ninth with Nigel Pearson’s side having won their last three games at home 2-0. Beale also has Brighton & Hove Albion loan midfielder Taylor Richards approaching a return having sustained a thigh injury in training.
After taking on City, QPR travel to leaders Sheffield United for a midweek encounter before hosting Championship surprise package Reading at Loftus Road.
“Having been in the job three months, with all the staff changes, players leaving and all the injuries and everything, I think going into the first international break where we are – and being a tiny bit frustrated – is a good thing,” Beale, who took over in the summer having left Aston Villa, told West London Sport.
“Hopefully we come back from the international break in a strong place. We play Bristol City and Sheffield United away and Reading home within six days of coming back – bring it on.
“They’re up there and I think we’re at the stage where we want to face every team in this league head-on. We’ve shown we can do that if we’re at our best.”
Clarke-Salter joined on a free transfer in the summer having become a perennial Championship loan player with stints at Coventry City, Birmingham City and Sunderland but with his Chelsea deal expiring, he was able to find a new permanent club.
But the 25-year-old has made just one appearance Rs defence due to a hamstring injury with Beale then pivoting to a back four and Rob Dickie partnering Jimmy Dunne. It will be interesting to see if, with Clarke-Salter available, Beale keeps a back four or moves to a three-man defence, as he lined up at the start of the season, to match up against City’s 3-4-1-2 system.
Both Clarke-Salter and Amos played for the Under-21s last Friday, and should be in contention to make the matchday 18 with a full week’s training in the build-up to Saturday’s game at Ashton Gate.
“We’ve made good signings in the recruitment and we want everybody fit. Taylor will come back, Jake and Luke are back in training now which is great – they’ll be fit after the international break, so we’re strong,” Beale added.
“What we know is that we have to fight tooth and nail for every point in this league. I think we’re in a good place as a club, but we can’t ever take our foot off because if we do then things can turn very quickly. If I was a QPR fan I would be as optimistic as me but know that there’s a lot of work ahead.”
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