Passionate Clint Hill wishes he had a game to prepare for this weekend as QPR are forced to stew on a third straight defeat.

Rangers are on an enforced break from match action following their FA Cup third-round exit at the hands of League One Sheffield United.

The Hoops were beaten 3-0 by the Blades and followed that knockout with further losses at Burnley and at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

Marouane Fellaini and a late James Wilson goal gave United the points in west London as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners at Loftus Road to keep the R’s confined to the relegation zone.

Clincher: James Wilson nets United's second at QPR

Rangers lacked a cutting edge but there was enough spirit on show from the players to suggest there is hope for survival

Hill is disappointed the R’s won’t have the chance to put things right tomorrow as cup fever again grips the rest of the Premier League.

He said: “You’d like to get the game out of your head quickly but this is the nature of the Premier League - games can be spread out - but in the Championship it was bang, bang, bang. We had games every Saturday and Tuesday.

Pointing the way: Clint Hill

“I thought the effort and desire was there but unfortunately that little bit of quality in the final third was just lacking. I think we can be proud of that effort and that display but we need a little bit more than that against the top teams.

“It will give us time to reflect on the performance and do something about the away performances. It’s just hard work to be honest. If we show the same kind of effort that we do at home, as a team, then I’m sure the results will come.”

The spotlight fell on QPR manager Harry Redknapp in the run-up to the United game as reports suggested defeat to the Red Devils would cost him his job.

Backing: QPR owner Tony Fernandes

Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes this week confirmed Redknapp will continue as boss and is preparing the squad for a trip to Hill’s old club Stoke on January 31.

He added: “I played there for a few years and the crowd really get behind their team.

“It’ll be a tough game. Mark Hughes is trying to get them playing a bit more football but they’ve always had that strength and power about them. We need to be ready for that.”