Beale relishing key spell for QPR

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QPR boss Mick Beale says he is relishing the prospect of three matches in quick succession when his team return to action.

Rangers have made an encouraging start under Beale, despite some mishaps, and went into the international break sixth in the Championship table.

They visit Bristol City on Saturday and current leaders Sheffield United next Tuesday before a home game next Friday against Reading, who are third after the opening 10 matches of the campaign.

Beale said: “Having been in the job three months, with all the staff changes, players leaving and all the injuries and everything, I think going into the first international break where we are – and being a tiny bit frustrated – is a good thing.

“Hopefully we come back from the international break in a strong place. We play Bristol City and Sheffield United away and Reading home within six days of coming back – bring it on.

“They’re up there and I think we’re at the stage where we want to face every team in this league head-on. We’ve shown we can do that if we’re at our best.”

The break has given Rangers more time to get the likes of Luke Amos and Jake Clarke-Salter back from injury, with Taylor Richards also edging towards a return.

“The players are starting to understand some of the ideas and we’re starting to get everyone fit and getting the relationships on the pitch,” Beale said.

“We’ve made good signings in the recruitment and we want everybody fit. Taylor will come back, Jake and Luke are back in training now which is great – they’ll be fit after the international break, so we’re strong.

“What we know is that we have to fight tooth and nail for every point in this league. I think we’re in a good place as a club, but we can’t ever take our foot off because if we do then things can turn very quickly.

“If I was a QPR fan I would be as optimistic as me but know that there’s a lot of work ahead.”