Queens Park Rangers take on Birmingham City at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers welcome Birmingham City to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon, still looking for their first league win this calendar year.
The Rs are likely to make some changes to the team who eased past Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday, and Tomer Hemed is one of those in line for a recall.
The striker hasn’t featured in the Championship since early December owing to a groin injury, but managed to get a couple of minutes under his belt against Pompey.
The on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion forward is likely to be utilised from the bench, as manager Steve McClaren eases him back into the rigours of Championship football.
Elsewhere, expect recalls for Eberechi Eze and Pawel Wszolek who were both on the bench midweek with the former making a late appearance.
McClaren will need to make a decision on Grant Hall, who has been brilliant in the two FA Cup games his played in this season. The centre-halve replaced skipper Toni Leistner on Tuesday, and put in a solid display which will have reminded McClaren just what he is capable of.
Elsewhere, the team essentially picks itself with Joe Lumley in goal, Darnell Furlong right-back with Jake Bidwell on the left.
Luke Freeman, Massimo Luongo and Nahki Wells will all occupy their normal roles but McClaren could be faced with another striking dilemma.
Matt Smith, who partnered Wells in a 4-4-2 on Tuesday, was a thorn in the Portsmouth defence all night and scored the game’s second goal, exactly what his play deserved.
Here’s a look at our full predicted line-up:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
