STURROCK FEARS QPR BACKLASH Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock has warned his side to be wary of a Queen's Park Rangers backlash as they chase their first Coca-Cola Championship win.
QPR started the season well by collecting seven points from their opening three games but have lost successive matches to Coventry and Northampton 3-0.
Wednesday, who have just two points, are now in better spirits after a Carling Cup win over Stockport in midweek but Sturrock is bracing his players for a difficult game at Loftus Road.
The Scot told the club's official website, www.swfc.co.uk: "I don't read much into those losses. They had 10 men for both those games and I am expecting a backlash.
"They are a very good home team but I've been content with the opportunities we've created away from home - just frustrated we haven't taken them."
Sturrock actually hopes his promoted side can take a leaf out of Rangers' book, and learn, as they did, how to compete in the division.
QPR started badly after moving up to the Championship last year but improved and spent most of the season in the fight for a play-off place.
Sturrock said: "We would hope to mirror that form, but we must get a win on the board first.
"We need a league win to set us up for the two weeks that follow. We don't want a gap to open up on the rest of the table - it's a huge game."
Sturrock hopes to have defender Graham Coughlan available after the ankle injury he suffered at Stockport proved less serious than feared.
There were initially worries the 31-year-old may have broken his ankle and suffered ligament damage but they were allayed and he will undergo a late fitness test.
Sturrock has no new injury worries but Lee Bullen (Achilles), Steve MacLean (broken leg), Drew Talbot (back), Steve Adams (calf) and Jon-Paul McGovern (back) remain on the sidelines.
Rangers will hope the return of Tommy Doherty will help get them back on track.
The 26-year-old was a key figure as Ian Holloway's side took seven points from their opening three matches.
Dan Shittu also returns after completing a one-match ban, while his central defensive partner Georges Santos faces a late fitness test on a calf injury.
Defender Ian Evatt misses out through suspension, while Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands, Dean Sturridge and Marc Nygaard are all still injured.
