UPDATED: 2:15 pm GMT
London Informer/Paul Warburton- QPR bosses debate Tommasi start
- QPR take on Champions leaders Birmingham this evening at Loftus Road with caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth and chairman Flavio Briatore currently discussing the starting IX for the match.
- The amazing partnership’s biggest concern is whether to bring in Damiano Tommasi for his first game in a Hoops shirt at the expense of Gavin Mahon in midfield, and beef up the attack by playing both Dexter Blackstock and Samuel Di Carmine while relegating captain Martin Rowlands to the bench.
- Right-back Peter Ramage isn’t fit, so Mikele Leigertwood is set to hold the right-back slot.
- Birmingham shaded a 1-0 close encounter in the match at St Andrews on October 4.
London Informer
Mirror/James Nursey - FLAV CALLS THE SHOTS/
TONIGHT'S CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION QPR v Birmingham City, kick-off 8pm
Gareth Ainsworth is set to remain in charge of QPR - as long as he carries out Flavio Briatore's orders.
Player-coach Ainsworth, 35, took charge of Rangers in their 0-0 draw at Reading following Iain Dowie's dismissal.
But co-owner Briatore, 58, picked the team and wants to maintain a hands-on role at the club. Briatore's inference in team selection led to Dowie's sacking last Friday after just 15 games.
The Italian is happy to let Ainsworth continue in charge in the short term but he faces a tough test against leaders Birmingham.
Brum have made the best-ever start to a season with 30 points from 13 games already.
"We'd rather be there than playing catch-up," said boss Alex McLeish. "We're staying positive." Mirror
Northern Echo - QPR interested in Chopra
NOT being involved in Saturday’s derby against his hometown club has revived talk of Michael Chopra moving to QPR.
The ambitious Loftus Road outfit, who are also looking for a new manager after last week’s departure of Iain Dowie, are hoping to lure Chopra to London on loan, with a view to a permanent move in January.
Sunderland paid £5m for the 24-year-old former Newcastle striker in July 2007, and although QPR have plenty of cash to spend, they are only looking to do a deal in the region of £2.5m. The Northern Echo
Dean Sturridge Loan (Same rumours over and over again:) - BBC Gossip "QPR are planning a move to take striker Daniel Sturridge on loan from Manchester City. (Daily Mirror) - BBC Gossip
Alessandro Costacurta:
One time QPR managerial target, Alessandro Costacurta who QPR were linked to last year before QPR decided on De Canio, has just been appointed head coach of Serie B Mantova. So scratch that option (if it ever existed) See "Costacurta Finds First Coaching Job".
[For last year's Costarcuta to QPR reports, See Costacurta/QPR -
Birthday for QPR's FA Cup Final Hero, Peter Hucker-
Peter Hucker Turns 49: Born October 28, 1959
Peter Hucker was a QPR Reserve until John Burridge (who himself had been bought only a few months earlier by Terry Venables to replace Chris Woods - who went on to play for England! - decided he didn't want to play on QPR's "controversial" artificial pitch!) Hucker came into the QPR team in 1981-1982, and was very much the 'Man of the Match' in QPR's Cup Final against Spurs.
For the next 4 seasons was the QPR regular goalie and played around 150 games for QPR. Hucker also won two England U-21 caps. Then for whatever reason he was replaced at QPR, first by Paul Barron, and more long-term by David Seaman). Hucker joined Oxford in 1986-1987. He is now runs a coaching School (Peter Hucker Soccer Schools). Hucker's Playing Record See also: Hucker/Wikipedia