Jamie Mackie has been through the wars over the last 10 months - but he has high hope for both himself and his club.

Indeed, the QPR fans favourite reckons the spirit shown by Leicester City is pretty much in evidence around Loftus Road, and it's that which could see Rs challenging for promotion next term.

"I think togetherness is the deciding factor and you've seen that many times throughout this division for many years, and it's true for the Premier League too," he told www.qpr.co.uk

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"We’ve all seen what Leicester did last season. They've got good ability throughout the side, but in addition to that, they looked so together and went that extra yard for each other and it really showed.”

However, there is while to go before Mackie rejoins his team-mates in full training, which starts in earnest on Monday.

The 30-year-old is still recovering from surgery to a damaged hamstring - the one he crocked twice last season. First, in September during the 4-0 debacle at Fulham. And then guttingly again during the 1-1 draw with Leeds in April.

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"I've been fairly lucky in terms of injuries throughout my career so last season was a big set-back for me," he said, "it was a bit of a nightmare to be honest with you.

"I think they give you a broad timescale in terms of getting back because they don't want you to get too ahead of yourself, which is easily done, but I’m in the gym working hard and I'd say I'm ahead of schedule as things stand.

"I just need to keep working hard and plugging away.

"We've got great staff here that are really pushing me, which is what I need, so hopefully come the start of the season I'll be ready to go."