First Game of a New Season

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It's QPR at Burnley...
And early team news: Presmably no Shittu in the QPR team! A bunch of new players in; a bunch of transfer-listed players still here...Some injuries...


UPDATE - From Burnley Official Site

Burnley v QPR

After a long summer, football is finally back and the Coca Cola Championship 2006/07 season begins on Saturday.

The Clarets kick off their campaign against QPR at Turf Moor and will be looking to get off to a good start to the new season.

Burnley remained unbeaten in pre-season and only conceded two goals, but as boss Steve Cotterill admitted in the build-up friendlies and their results mean nothing.

Andy Gray celebrates his goal against QPR last season

QPR have prepared for the new campaign with a 1-0 win over Gilligham, before heading to Sorrento on a pre-season tour, participating in two matches winning 4-0 over San Antonio Abate, before falling to a 5-1 defeat against Serie C side Sorrentio Calcio.

Gary Waddock appointed as the R's new manager on a full-time basis last term, has enjoyed a busy summer in the transfer market.

There has been somewhat of a international flavour to the new arrivals at Loftus Road, with Polish front-man Adam Czerkas, Nigerian midfielder Egutu Oliseh, Jamaican defender Damion Stewart and Australian Nick Ward, all linking up with the R's.

Highly-rated young striker Shabazz Baidoo has also signed his first professional contract, after making the breakthrough to the first team over the last season.

The Hoops will now be aiming to make a substantial improvement on last season, when they narrowly avoided relegation to league one, finishing in a disappointing 21st place.

The bookies see both Burnley and QPR as outsiders to succeed in the Championship but the Clarets are favourites to win on Saturday at 10/11, whilst the Hoops are 3/1 to get the three points and a draw is 2/1.

Andy Gray is favourite to open the scoring for Burnley at 5/1, whilst new summer signing Adam Czerkas is 9/2 for the Hoops.

Team News

Brian Jensen will start the game in goal, with Danny Coyne also included in the squad.

New signings Steve Jones and Stephen Foster could make their home debuts but Danny Karbassiyoon is struggling with a knee injury , which caused him to miss Burnley's pre-season matches.

Matthew Rose (foot), Martin Rowlands (groin), Egutu Oliseh (thigh) and Dominic Shimmin (toe) have all returned to full training with QPR, although the latter is suspended for the first three games of the campaign.

Goalkeeper Simon Royce is available after missing much of pre-season, while Marc Nygaard and Kevin Gallen have overcome slight knocks.

Striker Paul Furlong is sidelined for the first five weeks of the season with a thigh injury.

Tickets are on sale now, phone 0870 443 1914 or buy online. If you can't get down to Turf Moor though, to cheer the lads on in person, Phil Bird will be on ClaretsWorld live and direct from 2.50pm.

http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/PreMatch/0,,10413~876922,00.html




From the BBC - Burnley v QPR
Transfer-listed utility man Danny Karbassiyoon has struggled through pre-season with a knee injury and is Burnley's only injury doubt.
Goalkeeper Brian Jensen will definitely start, with Danny Coyne on the bench.

QPR have doubts over strikers Kevin Gallen and Mrc Nygaard, while fellow foward Paul Furlong has a thigh injury.

Egutu Oliseh also has a thigh problem and defender Dominic Shimmin is banned, but midfielders Martin Rowlands, Marc Bircham and Steve Lomas should figure.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/5226752.stm


Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals Game Preview
http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8417868