Niko Kranjcar’s shirt may be blue and white hoops - but the QPR midfielder’s shins are black and blue right now.

Two brutal tackles in succession, still saw him rise and crash home a wonderful curling free-kick two minutes from time for a 2-2 draw with Stoke.

But the precious point came at a premium.

Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch’s inclusion in the starting XI was a gamble too far , and although both were toting knocks before the game, Mutch picked up a second when a hamstring strain was added to a groin problem he already had.

Sandro had been ruled out with a knee problem before the game, but even given the physic’s appointment list, Rs Steven Caulker scored his first for the club, and his 10th in all senior competitions when he headed home just before the break.

Earlier, ex-Rangers target Peter Crouch had headed into the path of Mame Biram Diouf for the opener and the Ealing-born giant looked to have broken QPR hearts when he put Stoke 2-1 ahead.

Cue crunching challenges, and Kranjcar exacting full revenge.