Midfielder David Norris returns from serving a one-match ban for his red card at Plymouth ahead of Saturday's home game with QPR. Boss Jim Magilton has hinted that his side will remain largely unchanged from the team which drew 1-1 with Charlton on Tuesday.

Norris could come back into the side on the right of midfield with Jon Walters perhaps moving back to the striking role he occupied against the Pilgrims a week ago. Alternatively, the 27-year-old could find himself on the bench with Walters in his more usual right midfield slot.

Elsewhere in midfield, the impressive Veliche Shumulikoski and Owen Garvan central midfield partnership is set to continue with Alan Quinn likely to be on the left.

Up front, Kevin Lisbie, Pablo Couñago and Jon Stead will all hope for a start with Danny Haynes likely to be fit enough for inclusion in the squad despite picking up an abdominal injury, while Jordan Rhodes is also in with a shout of making the 16.

At the back, the Blues are likely to continue with Richard Wright in goal, David Wright at left-back, Moritz Volz on the right and Gareth McAuley and Richard Naylor in the centre.

Ben Thatcher came through Thursday's practice game against a side made up of reserve and U18s players OK after recovering from his torn thigh muscle, but probably needs more matches before he is considered for a first team start.

Tommy Smith remains on the sidelines after breaking his ankle but could be back in action not long after Christmas, much earlier than was originally expected. Jaime Peters is the only other Town player out at present, but the Canadian winger is scheduled to return to training again next week after a knee ligament injury.

Magilton says Saturday's visitors are a decent side in good form at present, having defeated leaders Birmingham in midweek: "Rangers have lots of ability and players that can hurt us and they are on a little run.

"So we know we will have another team to break down, but things are going well here and our self-belief is increasing and we showed on Tuesday how we can dominate sides when the only problem against Charlton was putting the ball in the net.

"There will not be too many changes and two wins on the bounce for us could make a big difference.”

Midfielder Gareth Ainsworth, a former team-mate of Town's Moritz Volz during his time on loan at Wimbledon, was appointed caretaker-manager after Iain Dowie was sacked a week ago, apparently because of his refusal to accept interference from Flavio Briatore and the rest of the club's board.

Ainsworth admits that the club's owners have a say, but insists he makes the final decisions: "I would be lying if I said it was 100 per cent down to me. It is my job to discuss players and push forward my case.

"At the end of the day I have the final input on the team. I am very open and listen to the case of other players. It is me at the helm. Any talk of people shouting down orders is not true. We are very professional and I had to make serious decisions at half-time against Birmingham.

"The team selection is my final input but there are discussions. They [the board] want to know how the players are doing, not just in matches but also in training. I think it's a good thing because they are looking after their investment."

Ainsworth, who says he is keen on taking the job permanently, will be without Mikele Leigertwood, who is out for four matches having had his ban for his sending off for violent conduct against Birmingham increased after the FA deemed an appeal frivolous.

Defender Damien Delaney returns from suspension, while striker Patrick Agyemang may make the bench after a pelvis injury. Striker Samuel Di Carmine, on loan from Fiorentina, is expected to be fine despite being replaced late on against Birmingham having scored the winning goal.

Former Colchester United loanee Rowan Vine is a long-term absentee as he recovers from a broken leg.

No current QPR player has represented the Blues, but Town striker Kevin Lisbie spent December 2000 on loan with the Superhoops from Charlton, making one start and one sub appearance. Reserves coach Chris Kiwomya was with QPR after leaving Arsenal, during which time he regularly scored against the Blues.

Town have had the better of Rangers over the years, winning 24 games (22 in the league), losing 21 (19) and drawing 18 (17). Last season, goals from Sylvain Legwinski and Marc Nygaard led to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road in October with a 0-0 stalemate following at Portman Road in March.

Saturday's referee is Berkshire-based whistler Trevor Kettle, who has shown 30 yellow and two red cards in 11 games so far this season. Kettle, who has a reputation for being card happy, over fussy and often perplexing, last took control of the Blues on New Year's Day when Town beat West Brom 2-0 at Portman Road.

TWTD issue 94, which included interviews with Tommy Smith and James Hollman, will be on sale ahead of the game from our sellers around the ground (by Sir Alf, Planet Blue and the Portman Road entrance to the Greene King Stand) or by post either by purchasing a single issue or six-issue subscription here.

Likely squad: R Wright, Supple, Volz, D Wright, Thatcher, Naylor, McAuley, Naylor, Bruce, Garvan, Shumulikoski, Norris, Miller, Campo, Quinn, Walters, Couñago, Lisbie, Stead, Haynes, Rhodes.

Photo: Action Images

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