QPR MANAGER Mark Warburton does not expect an easy match against a Derby County side on a fine run of form when the two sides meet in Championship action tonight.

Derby sit rock bottom of the table with just one point, owing to a 21-point deduction after falling into administration, however, the Rams have taken four points from their last two games against the top two sides Bournemouth and Fulham.

The Rs picked up a fine midweek win against Huddersfield in their last league outing, but Warburton expects a tough contest at Pride Park tonight.

He said: “This is our toughest game of the season so far. The points deduction has happened and it’s out of their control, but they can play with real freedom and express themselves now.

“Not many teams will get four points out of Bournemouth and Fulham. They’ll have a target in mind and you have to respect that, otherwise, you’ll get hurt.

“The players and staff will feel a sense of injustice and will come out firing. They have a passionate crowd who will feel that injustice as well.

“Twenty-one points is some deduction but they have a fantastic setup and something to aim for. You should never underestimate a group of players and staff when they have something to play for.”

QPR currently sit sixth in the Championship and are well in the hunt for a play-off spot after last week’s win against Huddersfield at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Luke Amos’ 81st-minute strike was enough to seal all three points, and Warburton is feeling positive after that performance and the club’s general transformation over the last year.

He said: “It was an important win for us. We had to meet the challenge against a good team.

“They were very organised and dangerous. It was nip-and-tuck in the first half but we were much more dominant in the second half and deserved the win.

“It’s all about mindset. The players have shown in 2021 their ability to go and get results both home and away. It beats being 19th this time last year!

“The moment you look too far ahead is when you lose concentration. We’re just taking it one game at a time. We want to keep pushing and put some daylight between us and the other teams.

“We’re showing more resilience and right now we’re in a good place, but the league is so tight and we have to focus on what is going to be a really stern test at Pride Park.”