Rio Ferdinand is a definite starter in a QPR side that goes in search of a first away point of the season at Sunderland tomorrow night.
The ex-Manchester United defender gets drafted into a team shorn of Richard Dunne for the next three months, as revealed exclusively by GetWestLondon.
Dunne sustained knee ligament damage after a tackle with Sadio Mane in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton that leaves the club rooted in the relegation mire.
After a rocky time at Rangers with the Irishman keeping Ferdinand watching from the sidelines, caretaker boss Chris Ramsey insists Ferdinand is ready and willing to try and turn around Rs fortunes.
The temporary manager said: "Is Rio important? He's going to be huge for us. We are now looking for the older pros to help the younger ones, and Rio and me spoke about it and he knew he might play in the next two games, so he's prepared himself properly."
Rangers breathed a sigh of relief as they learned Charlie Austin's right foot was not broken against Saints as feared. But defender Nedum Onuoha is out for three weeks with a hamstring strain.
Midfielder Sandro will use the next two weeks to improve fitness in a series of U21 and friendly matches.
Ramsey added: "I hope Sandro will be ready for the Hull game (Feb 21), and I was impressed with Mauro Zarate against Southampton. I thought he looked very sharp and he's staked a claim to get in the first team."
But the caretaker is mulling over whether Adel Taarabt will get a second start of the year at The Stadium of Light.
He explained: "Adel always knew we wanted an hour out of him against Southampton while he improved his match fitness, and it was a question of using subs well, and we had Mauro waiting.
