QPR v Newcastle preview
Taarabt doubt for Rs; Taylor won't be risked by Magpies
Last Updated: May 1, 2010 2:54pm
Taarabt: Late decision
Queens Park Rangers will make a late decision on Adel Taarabt for the visit of champions Newcastle United, who will not risk Steven Taylor.
On-loan Tottenham midfielder Taarabt missed last Saturday's 1-0 win at Barnsley after limping off against Watford the previous week with a heel injury.
Youngster Josh Parker made his full debut at Oakwell in place of Taarabt and will be in line for another appearance if the Moroccan misses out.
Midfielders Martin Rowlands and Gavin Mahon (both knee) are still sidelined along with defenders Damion Stewart (fractured skull) and Matt Connolly (ankle).
Therefore Peter Ramage will line up at centre-half against his former club.
Amazingly, Rangers could end a troubled season with a top-half finish if they win and Doncaster lose at Swansea.
Newcastle news
Magpies defender Taylor has not made the squad for the season finale at Loftus Road.
The 24-year-old has been out since January with a knee injury and was reportedly hurt in an incident at the training ground as he prepared to make his comeback.
He was included in the squad for last weekend's clash with Ipswich but will not be risked this time around.
Fitz Hall is sidelined against his parent club by a hamstring problem while Tamas Kadar is a doubt after picking up a minor knock on reserve team duty during the week.
Keeper Tim Krul has been promised some involvement, so will start in place of Steve Harper, while Haris Vuckic is also in the squad.
However, winger Jonas Gutierrez has been allowed to return to Argentina ahead of his expected inclusion in his national squad for this summer's World Cup finals.
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| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnsley | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackpool | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Bournemouth | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Burnley | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Derby County | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Huddersfield Town | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Millwall | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Reading | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Watford | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Wigan Athletic | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Yeovil Town | 0 | 0 |
