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Blackburn ace comes to Rangers' rescue as midfield crisis deepens
QUEENS Park Rangers are set to include Steven Reid in the squad for tomorrow's Championship game against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium after the Blackburn Rovers midfielder joined Rangers on a month's loan.
The 28-year-old Irish international will boost a midfield depleted by the loss of three key players – the latest of which – Gavin Mahon – was ruled out for up to four months last week.
Already queuing at the physio's table for treatment to long-term injuries are club captain Martin Rowlands and left-sided player, Lee Cook.
There is also the distinct possibility Andy Marshall will join Reid on the subs bench as cover for first-choice keeper Radek Cerny.
Marshall is down the pecking order at Aston Villa, and was on trial at QPR in the summer before electing to join the Midlanders.
Reid will slot into the centre instead of Mahon. Mikele Leigertwood is ready to revert to the right-back where he's excelled this term, with 3million Argentine Alejandro Faurlin expected to get a starting role.
Apart from the above, Rangers should keep faith with the same starting XI that won 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago.
The Hoops go into the game at the Keepmoat having been beaten just once in their last six outings – a run that has seen them climb to fourth in the table.
They also boast the fourth-best scoring record in the division – largely due to efforts of two loanees and a converted winger.
Fans' favourite Adel Tarrabt has wooed the faithful at Loftus Road as a result of the Spurs' player's audacious trickery and nose for a half-chance.
Jay Simpson, on loan from Arsenal, has added a new dimension up front and is currently Rangers' top scorer with seven.
Wayne Routledge has been given a new free-running role just behind the main attack, and the former Tottenham and Aston Villa player hasn't scorned the opportunity to get closer to goal with six strikes in 18 appearances.
Rangers boss Jim Magilton will be hoping for better fortunes than on his last visit to the Keepmoat Stadium.
Then in charge at Ipswich Town, Magilton went away empty-handed as Rovers ended a run of 12 games without a win when inflicting a 1-0 defeat on the Tractor Boys.
Rovers completed the double over the Suffolk side in the final weeks of the season at Portman Road. The result served to hammer the final nail into the under-fire Magilton's coffin and following crowd unrest during and after the game the former Town stalwart was relieved of his duties several days later.
But whereas his successor at Portman Road, Roy Keane, has struggled to make his expected impact, Magilton has transformed Rangers' fortunes.
Not only have they climbed into the top six but have also won many plaudits along the way for the quality of their football.
Rovers No 2 Richard O'Kelly is one man to have been impressed by the quality of Rangers play and says he expects them to retain their top six status – not least because of their massive financial clout.
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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