Jon Walters looks set to replace the injured Danny Haynes on the right of midfield when the Blues travel to QPR for Saturday's live Sky game (KO 5.20pm). Town have a doubt over skipper Gareth McAuley, but striker Kevin Lisbie is expected to return to the squad after his back problem.

Haynes is out with the hamstring injury he sustained in the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in midweek. Scans have shown no tear and the former England U19 international isn't expected to be out of action for too long.

Walters took over from Haynes on Wednesday, having been on the bench after his weekend stomach bug. The former Chester man looks almost certain to start in the right-sided midfield role at Loftus Road.

Captain Gareth McAuley hurt his calf preventing Forest's Nathan Tyson from netting a late equaliser on Wednesday. The Northern Irish international's condition has improved since the game and Town are hopeful he will be fit.

If the ex-Leicester City man fails to make it, Dutchman Pim Balkestein is likely to join Alex Bruce at the heart of the defence with Ben Thatcher and David Wright the full-backs. Richard Wright, who continued his superb recent form against Forest, will keep his place in goal.

Moritz Volz is available again after his groin injury but is unlikely to be in the 16, while Iván Campo is not yet ready for a return as he continues his comeback from his torn calf muscle.

Town could switch to a five-man midfield with Walters on the right and Luciano Civelli on the left. Tommy Miller and Alan Quinn should keep their central roles with David Norris or Owen Garvan joining them.

Up front, Kevin Lisbie has been Jim Magilton's preferred lone striker away from home, but the former Charlton man has been out of action with a back problem in recent days, so is more likely to be on the bench. Pablo Couñago could get the nod ahead of Jon Stead if the Town boss does decide to go with a single frontman.

Assistant manager John Gorman says that while Wednesday's victory over Forest was by no means Town at their best, it could prove to be an important win: "We are not daft, we know can do better and won't get carried away, but we are hoping that the win can start a run.

"We go out to win every game. We will go to QPR and be positive. If we get a draw we will accept it as we are away from home, but we are going there to win. With the record we have away we are capable.

”Even though they are lower than us in the league, after Blackpool and Plymouth, it was good to play Forest. They are a club that has won the European Cup and the league and has all that history.

"It will be the same playing QPR. They have money now, which is another thing that makes it a good challenge.

"Loftus Road is an old-fashioned place to play. QPR have two games in hand but have to win them.”

Town leapfrogged Rangers with the win in midweek with the Blues now 10th, one place above the side managed by former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa, both clubs having amassed 43 points. Town's goal difference is superior by two, while QPR have two games in hand on the Blues.

Striker Heidar Helguson (calf) and keeper Radek Cerny (hamstring) are back in training and could be fit enough to return to the QPR squad but probably not the team, while winger Lee Cook has completed a ban.

Sam Di Carmine could also be back after an ankle injury, but Rowan Vine is not yet ready for a return after a lengthy spell out with a broken leg.

Akos Buzsaky and Martin Rowlands are long-term absentees with knee injuries, while Patrick Agyemang is close to a return after tearing a thigh muscle.

Rangers, who are unbeaten in nine in the league, signed former Real Mallorca midfielder Jordi Lopez on a three-month deal earlier in the week.

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 25 games (23 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.

Earlier this season, Jon Stead scored both goals after coming off the bench to give the Blues a 2-0 win at Portman Road.

The club are showing Saturday's live Sky game against QPR in the Far Post Bar next to the Centre Spot with doors opening at 4.30pm and entry free.

Fans travelling to the game by train will face a lengthier journey than usual due to engineering work which means a replacement bus service will be running between Colchester and Billericay. Full details here.

Saturday's referee is Premier League official Stuart Attwell from Nuneaton, who has shown 69 yellow and five red cards in 22 games so far this season. Attwell famously awarded ‘the goal that never was' in the Watford-Reading match earlier in the season.

The 26-year-old, the youngest ever Premier League referee, was due to take control of the Town-Wigan Carling Cup tie later that week but was withdrawn because of the controversy and consequently is yet to officiate in a Town game.

Likely squad: R Wright, Supple, D Wright, Thatcher, McAuley, Bruce, Balkestein, Garvan, Miller, Quinn, Shumulikoski, Norris, Walters, Civelli, Couñago, Stead, Lisbie, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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