Neil Warnock Looks Ahead to Palace at QPR

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Crystal Palace Official Site - Lawrence Out As Boss Looks Ahead To QPR

Neil Warnock believes the next six games will tell him all he needs to know about his Palace players - beginning with a trip to QPR tonight.

After the trip to Loftus Road, the Eagles manager is looking ahead to matches at Barnsley, Coventry and Sheffield United as well as Selhurst tests against Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle.

Those fixtures take Palace to New Years Day 2008 and the opening of the month-long transfer window, where Warnock believes he will know exactly what he wants.

"I couldn't really ask for a better six games before January 1st," he said, "because if I have any doubts about any of my squad in the next six games I'll know for sure who I want and who I don't by then.

"Four of them are away from home, and they are all going to be tough games."

Warnock, who will be without the suspended Matt Lawrence, knows all about tonight's opponents, after a late strike by Clinton Morrison rescued a point for Palace in the 1-1 draw with QPR at Selhurst on November 10.

"We did ever so well, although we should have won the game with Dougie Freedman's chance in the last minute - which was probably the best chance we've had since I've been here," he said.

"That night people went away thinking they would push on to the play offs and we were going to get relegated, but it just shows you that football doesn't work like that.

"It will be a hard game because QPR are very good, especially at home, with players like Scott Sinclair and Rowan Vine who are worth lots of money. We'd have loved to have had them but couldn't afford them.

"Money doesn't necessary win anything - it just gives you a better chance - but we've got to focus on what we're doing and not worry about anybody else."

Warnock went on to hail the form of midfielder Tom Soares, who he believes can improve yet further.

"He's doing better," he said. "He knows the standards I expect from him and hopefully that can continue. The sign of a good player, like your Steven Gerrards, is when you do it nine games out of ten.

"Tom's done it two or three games out of three now but can he do it for another six games? Tom's got it within his locker to do anything - that includes Sunday League or Premier League. He has the ability. His mental side could be questioned but he is getting there and getting a lot stronger. He is taking on a lot more responsibility and is growing up."

Danny Butterfield is fit and available as a potential replacement for Lawrence, who serves a one-game suspension for accumulating five yellow cards.

"Other than letting Sinclair going inside him in the home match against QPR, I can't see where Matt's made a mistake since I've been here," Warnock gushed. "He's stiff anyway so he's due a rest."

Mark Kennedy is struggling with an achilles injury and Paul Dickov has picked up a toe injury, separate to his previous one, so is doubtful.

Tony Craig (shoulder), Paul Ifill (abductor) and Victor Moses (thigh) remain absentees. Crystal Palace