Richard Dunne is going to have to earn a contract if he wants to stay at QPR.

The Irish international triggered an automatic year’s extension after he racked up 30-plus games with Rs last season, but the 34-year-old admits it’s his endeavours this campaign will decide whether it goes beyond that.

Dunne was picked ahead of Clint Hill and Nedum Onuoha to line up on the left side of a new look defence against Hull last week, and is expected to get the nod against Tottenham on Sunday lunchtime.

The 3-5-2 set-up employing three across the back with two wing backs is a new role for Dunne, and he believes that against the likes of Spurs, the club is going to need it.

“I’m not apprehensive about playing there,” he said. “It’s more a case of receiving the ball in different positions. We know that sides like Manchester United are going to want to get forward, and as a defensive unit we’ve got more players getting back with this formation.”

Rangers expect to be put under the cosh by top teams, but Dunne agrees a season in the Premier League is miles better than slugging it out in the Championship, even if he was chairman Tony Fernandes’ player of the last campaign.

By his own reckoning, Dunne was creaking after a 46-game season, and believes promotion has given his career a lease of life.

He said: “It’s a very tough league, the Championship.

"A lot of people say it’s better to be playing midweek rather than training. But in the Premier League there’s more time to train and rest, and playing there is more enjoyable.”

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