Furlong set for Rangers return

Striker Paul Furlong will begin his second spell at Queens Park Rangers against Chesterfield tomorrow.

The Birmingham forward, plagued by injuries last year, arrived at Loftus Road on a month's loan yesterday after playing three games two seasons ago.

Manager Ian Holloway will start with Kevin Gallen and Andy Thomson up front, with Furlong on the bench.

But Holloway said: "It's great to get Paul on board. Where else can you get a player of his quality by only paying a percentage of his wages? He's had a terrible two years and wants to show the football world that he's not always injured. He's hungry to prove himself and feels he owes our fans."

Expectations are high as Rangers seek to return to the First Division at the second time of asking, but Holloway is not feeling the pressure.

He said: "I'm looking forward to starting the season and the lads are ready for it. We're aiming to get 90-plus points to get into the top two.

"Every club starts the season aiming for promotion and we're no different."

Chesterfield's last visit to Loftus Road produced a sterile 0-0 draw as QPR struggled to breach a packed defence, and Holloway is expecting a similar challenge tomorrow.

He said: "Chesterfield will play five at the back and sit for a point - end of story. It's up to us to try and get bodies forward and break them down."

Manager: Ian Holloway
Final position last season: 8th
New signings: Marc Bircham (Millwall), Nick Culkin (Man Utd), Gino Padula (free agent)
First three games: Tomorrow: Chesterfield (H);
Tues: Stockport (A);
17 Aug: Barnsley (A)