Henry says QPR have ‘no excuses’ not to challenge for promotion

Karl Henry has told QPR’s website “there are no excuses” now the likes of Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips have stayed at Loftus Road.

Rangers anticipated a season of consolidation in the Championship, with Phillips and particularly Austin heavily tipped to be snapped up by a top-flight club during the summer transfer window.

Midfielder Henry believes a strong challenge for promotion now has to be their aim.

“We’ve got a really strong side and in terms of the players we managed to keep, that transfer window is probably the best the club has had in the time I have been here,” he said.

“For us in the changing room to see them still here is really huge. It makes us now think that we can have a real good go.

“There are no excuses now. We’ve got a squad worthy of getting in that top six and having a really good promotion push.”

Henry is expected to retain his place in the side for Wednesday’s home match against Blackburn.

Keeper Alex Smithies is set to make his full league debut for the R’s as Rob Green is suspended after being sent off during Saturday’s defeat against Nottingham Forest.