If the idea was to keep the lid on expectations at QPR this season nobody told Jordan Cousins.

While boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink would batted away a question about ambitions for the season in the wake of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Watford, the final dress rehearsal before the big kick-off, his summer arrival from Charlton broke rank declaring promotion was within reach for the class of 2016-17.

While he accepts the arrival in the mix of sleeping giants like Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle, former European Champions Aston Villa and yo-yo club Norwich City make the Championship’s composition one of the strongest ever, he sees no reason to limit their aspirations.

“I wouldn’t have joined this club if I didn’t think they could be back in the Premier League. We want to get this club back where it belongs,” he said.

“Having been in the Championship for three years and looking at the teams which have come down from the Premier League it is going to be tough, but something we can do.

Lofty ambitions: Jordan Cousins takes on QPR last season

“It’s going to require lots of good, hard work on the training pitch, but it’s not something that is too far for us or that we can’t achieve.

First up in the quest to achieve that goal are another of the greats of yesteryear Leeds United, now under the stewardship of former Swansea boss Gary Monk and with ex-Hoops keeper Rob Green barring the route to goal.

Having joined part way through the summer break 22-year-old Cousins admits he’s been playing catch-up on his teammates in the quest to hit the ground running, but insists he and they are ready for action.

“I joined halfway through pre-season, but for some of the boys it has been long and hard and they are just reaping the rewards now because everyone is looking fit, sharp and raring to go,” he added.

“So I think we are ready for Leeds. You can see out there everyone is gelling, working together and pulling in the same direction.”