Like most changing rooms, QPR players dish out the banter and get it back in spades - or so you would have thought.

The given perception is a macho world of golf, horse racing, and nights out as just some of the in-house chat as players pull on their boots.

Instead, at Rangers a recent baby boom leaves a fair number of the squad whinging about the lack of sleep they’ve had as four-hour feeds disturb slumbers.

Keeper Alex Smithies has a seven month old baby girl. Clint Hill’s wife gave birth to their fourth child in the same month, and there are a fair few others too with junior duties.

In fact, Smithies claims the second he’s back from training, wife Rosie plonks baby Emma in his arms and tells him to get on with it.

“I’m quite hands on when I can be,” he said. “After football I get presented with the baby. And in the changing room there’s plenty of complaining ‘like how much sleep you didn’t get last night?’

However, should Ipswich, who face Hoops tomorrow at Loftus Road, scan opposition faces for signs of bloodshot eyes hanging on cheeks, one day is sacrosanct for head down and lights out - and it’s this one.

“The night before I’m allowed a good night’s sleep, but during the week I help out when I can,” added Smithies.

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