Fulham boss Kit Symons is ready and waiting to nullify the threat posed by Rs hitman Charlie Austin, in a clash that means more than just three points to the winners.
Symons said: “He’s an excellent player, and a massive goal threat.
We need to be conscious of him, but they’ve got other good players who can score goals like Matt Phillips and Tjaronn Chery.
“QPR did well to hang on to players in the transfer window, and keeping is one thing, but motivating them is another, which I’m sure (Rangers coach) Chris Ramsey will do.”
A big derby crowd has Symons hoping three sides of the Cottage outshout the sell-out 6,000 away fans in the Putney End.
Against Stoke, Fulham supporters almost willed the ball into the net for an equaliser at the end, and their boss hopes for more of the same against the team from up the road.
“At the end it’s only three points on the board, but it’s a local derby and exciting and I’m sure the crowd can make a big difference,” he said.
Jazz Richards has been ruled out from the derby after he picked up a knock in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke on Tuesday.
Symons said “Jazz had had a scan – and it’s not that bad. But he won’t be available for this game.”
However, Ryan Fredericks has recovered from a quad problem and will take the Wales international’s place.
Whites are still without Luke Garbutt, Scott Parker George Williams, but the good news is all three have been inked in for an U21 game at Derby on Monday to increase their match fitness.
