Harford Continuing As Caretaker Manager

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Stick with Mick... for now
MICK Harford has been handed an extended spell in charge of QPR as the club attempt to entice Francesco Guidolin to Loftus Road.
Rangers had hoped to appoint John Gregory's successor ahead of this weekend's home clash with Ipswich, but Harford now looks certain to remain in control for the time being.
It is understood that contractual complications have held up the club's efforts to land Guidolin, who has managed several Italian sides, including Palermo (twice), Bologna and Udinese.
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini held discussions with Harford at the club's training ground last Friday and asked him to continue as caretaker manager for the foreseeable future.
Harford told the Times: "I had a meeting with the chairman and he just said 'carry on and see where it takes us'.
"I enjoy working here and the players have responded well, so we'll see what happens and I'll get on with preparing the lads for the Ipswich game, which should be a good one.
"I'll keep doing the job to the best of my ability and hopefully we can get some results. We're still in a predicament - we're still bottom of the league and we need to win our home games.
"But if we remain nice and positive and play as we did against Norwich, there's a good chance we can start climbing the table."
Harford reshuffled his back four in last week's win over Norwich, with loan signing Martin Cranie lining up alongside Damion Stewart in central defence and helping Rangers to their first clean sheet of the season.
But the caretaker boss may be tempted to change his back line again, with Michael Mancienne available again after six weeks out with back and hamstring problems.
"The best thing you can do is keep a settled back four, but when you're not given a lot of time you look for the best combination," said Harford.
"Martin Cranie came in and did very well and Mancienne coming back will hopefully give me a bit of a headache.
"I'm still persevering and looking for the right combination, to pick the right two for a certain type of game.
"The longer players play together, the more they get to know each other's habits and weaknesses."
Mancienne - who has not played for the first team since limping off against Southampton at the beginning of September - completed 45 minutes for Rangers' reserve team in their 1-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.
Danny Cullip may also be in line for a first-team return against Ipswich after playing the full 90 minutes at Adams Park, as did fellow defenders Marcus Bignot and John Curtis.
The latter pair are likely to be in competition for the left-back slot on Saturday, with Chris Barker doubtful after undergoing a hernia operation last week.
But it looks as if the Rs will be short of options in attack again, with both Marc Nygaard (calf) and Danny Nardiello (hamstring) still struggling for fitness. Kilburn Times