QPR vs Middlesbrough - Resurgent Middlesbrough wary of QPR test

Posted Thursday, March 31, 2016 by PA

Middlesbrough winger Albert Adomah has urged caution as his side bid to climb back into the Sky Bet Championship's automatic promotion places with victory at QPR on Friday night.

Boro fans hope David Nugent's last-minute winner against promotion rivals Hull before the international break has galvanised the club, this after two straight defeats and following the bust-up between head coach Aitor Karanka and his players.

Three points for Karanka's side would lift them above second-placed Brighton, but QPR have lost only one of their last seven league games and Adomah expects another tough test at Loftus Road.

"QPR are doing well," Adomah told Boro's official website.

"We're hoping we can win the game, but they're doing well at the moment so we have to be careful.

"It's not going to be an easy game."

Daniel Ayala (hamstring) could return to contention after missing the last nine games, but fellow defender Damia Abella (knee) remains sidelined.

Karanka has no new injury problems and striker Cristhian Stuani (Uruguay), defender Dael Fry (England U-19s) and midfielder Julien de Sart (Belgium U-21s) have all reported back fit from international duty.

QPR have endured a disappointing season following relegation last May but boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had to wait nine games for his first win in charge after replacing Chris Ramsey in December, has steadied the ship.

Hasselbaink's side have won four of their last five home games, conceding one goal, and Italian defender Gabriele Angella insists the mid-table Londoners still have plenty to play for.

"This will be a very good test for us against a big team that is fighting for promotion," Angella told QPR's official website.

"We will go into this game with a lot of motivation and I believe that we have the quality in the group to do well.

"Middlesbrough have to find the three points. They must look to win this game. But we have to win too.

"We have to win this for us, for the supporters, for the club. It is important for us.

"We really want to finish the season well and show the right motivation. We are determined to do well in these matches."

Midfielder Ben Gladwin could be in contention after being recalled from his loan spell at Bristol City, while striker Connor Washington will be full of confidence having scored his first goal for Northern Ireland in Monday's win against Slovenia.