QPR take on Champions leaders Birmingham this evening at Loftus Road with caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth and chairman Flavio Briatore currently discussing the starting IX for the match.

The amazing partnership’s biggest concern is whether to bring in Damiano Tommasi for his first game in a Hoops shirt at the expense of Gavin Mahon in midfield, and beef up the attack by playing both Dexter Blackstock and Samuel Di Carmine while relegating captain Martin Rowlands to the bench.

Right-back Peter Ramage isn’t fit, so Mikele Leigertwood is set to hold the right-back slot.

Birmingham shaded a 1-0 close encounter in the match at St Andrews on October 4.