QPR vs Bristol City - Previews

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Bristol City Mad - Past QPR vs Bristol City Encounters

Football 365 - Bristol City v QPR 10/08/07
Bristol City duo Jamie McCombe and Ivan Sproule will miss the opening game of the season at home to QPR.

Defender McCombe missed much of the Robins' pre-season preparations with shin problems and is short of fitness ahead of Saturday's Championship curtain-raiser.

Forward Sproule, a summer signing from Hibernian, will miss promoted City's first four fixtures of the new campaign through suspension following his disciplinary problems with the SPL side last season.

However, fellow new arrivals Stephen Henderson, Michael McIndoe, Tamas Vasko, Lee Trundle and Marvin Elliott are all in contention to make their debuts for the club in their first game at this level since being relegated in 1999.

Chris Weale and Jennison Myrie-Williams have temporarily left Ashton Gate to undertake loan spells with Hereford and Cheltenham respectively.

QPR are set to be without six players for the Ashton Gate clash

As well as summer signing Simon Walton, who faces six months on the sidelines with a broken leg, defender Pat Kanyuka (thigh), winger Gareth Ainsworth (fractured fibula) and forward Ray Jones (foot) will also be missing at Ashton Gate.

Physio Paul Hunter said: ``Ray has had a tough pre-season, with ankle and foot injuries, while Gareth is making steady progress from his leg fracture.

``Pat will be out of action for some time, after he had an operation to fix his torn thigh muscle.''

Defenders Chris Barker - a summer signing from Cardiff - and Sampsa Timoska are also out as they must serve three- and one-match suspensions respectively

But Gregory is expected to hand debuts to some of his other summer signings, who comprise goalkeeper Lee Camp, defender John Curtis, midfielder Daniel Nardiello and forward Ben Sahar, who is on loan from Chelsea. Football 365

BRISTOL CITY OFFICIAL - QPR GAME NOW ALL-TICKET
Following discussions between the club, Avon & Somerset Police and Bristol City Council a decision has been made to make the Bristol City v QPR match all-ticket.
The surge in sales over the past 24 hours has been taken into account, along with the anticipated sales on Friday.
Whilst it is accepted that this will inconvenience some supporters, the decision has been made with spectator safety in mind, along with the fact the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is taking place on Saturday.
Tickets will remain on sale until 6pm tomorrow (Friday) from 0871 222 66 66, to personal callers at the stadium and online whilst stocks last. The all-ticket ruling means no tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the game.
A crowd in excess of 19,000 is now anticipated for City's first game back in the Coca-Cola Championship. Approximately 1,200 remain on sale. Bristol City

QPR OFFICIAL SITE THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BRISTOL CITY

Rangers travel to Ashton Gate - the home of Championship newcomers Bristol City - on the opening day of the 2007/08 campaign.

Gary Johnson's side secured a place in the Championship for the first time in nine years with victory against Rotherham United on the final day of the League One season.

A brace from David Noble and an Alex Russell goal secured the Robins the second automatic promotion spot in League One.

Johnson's men finished the campaign six points adrift of Champions Scunthorpe United, on 85 points.

Man to watch: Louis CAREY

Local lad Louis Carey was a rock at the heart of the Robins' defence last season.

The Bristol-born skipper burst on to the Ashton Gate scene in 1995, before rejecting a new contract in 2004.

He joined Coventry City, but having failed to settle in the Midlands, he was back at Ashton Gate just six months later.

Carey signed a new two-year deal in 2007 and is an integral part of the City squad.

Transfers

In's

I Sproule (Hibernian - undiscolsed)

Marvin Elliott (Millwall - free)

Michael McIndoe (Wolves - free)

Lee Trundle (Swansea - £1,000,000)

Tamas Vasco (Ujpest Dopzsa - loan)

Out's

Aaron Ledgister (Cheltenham - free)

Frankie Artus (Exeter - loan)

Chris Weale (Hereford United - loan)

Jennison Myrie-Williams (Cheltenham Town - loan)

Head-to-head:

QPR wins: 26

Draws: 18

Bristol City wins: 24

Match odds:

Bristol City 11/10

Draw 11/5

QPR 11/5
QPR