ROWLANDS OUT FOR RANGERS
QPR could be without Martin Rowlands for their New Year's Day clash at home to Colchester.
The influential midfielder picked up a knock during the 1-0 defeat at Norwich on Saturday, which saw him replaced by Nick Ward after 40 minutes.
Should Rowlands fail to recover, Ward would be in contention to replace him for the start against Geraint Williams' men, as Rangers boss John Gregory looks to improve a miserable record of seven defeats from eight Championship games.
Forward Paul Furlong, 38, played 90 minutes both on Boxing Day and at Norwich, and could be rested, with Dexter Blackstock returning to partner Ray Jones in attack.
Midfielder Marc Bircham hopes to recover from the knock that kept him out at Carrow Road, but winger Gareth Ainsworth (ankle) and defender Dominic Shimmin (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Colchester skipper Karl Duguid is pushing for a start when the Championship's surprise package head to QPR on New Year's Day.
Midfielder Duguid has been suffering with headaches since he took a kick to the eye at Preston which forced him out of the Boxing Day win over Luton.
But he put in a 20-minute cameo during Saturday's victory over Wolves - which moved the Us up to sixth - and will be hoping to get the nod from the first whistle against Rangers.
Chris Barker will continue at left-back after extending his loan deal from Cardiff until the end of the season.
Striker Marino Keith remains the Us' only injury absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from long-term Achilles trouble.
