Queens Park Rangers will be looking to arrest their recent dip in form and get their promotion challenge back on track when they travel to The Valley to take on Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

A run of three matches without a win, including defeats in their last two, has seen QPR drop down to fourth in the table, four points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

Harry Redknapp's side do have a game in hand over every other team in the top six, but he knows that they can't afford many more slip-ups if they are to make an immediate return to the top flight.

The Hoops' usually solid defence has shown signs of weakness in recent weeks, conceding six goals in their last three games, including a 3-1 home defeat to 10-man Reading in their last outing.

However, they still boast the best defensive record in the league having conceded just 24 goals in their 30 matches so far, a joint league-low, 12 of which have come away from home.

They may not concede many on their travels, but their overall away form is an increasing concern for Redknapp, who has seen his side score in just one of their last five on the road in all competitions.

They have also won just two of their last 10 league games away from Loftus Road, which is not the type of form a promotion chasing team can afford to maintain.

QPR will be boosted by the arrival of Ravel Morrison on loan from West Ham United, and he is expected to be thrown straight into the starting lineup with Alejandro Faurlin, Danny Simpson, Charlie Austin and Matthew Phillips all injured.

Charlton, meanwhile, will have had an unexpected 14-day break by the time they line up for this London derby after their FA Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday was postponed.

However, the down side is that they must now play the match just 48 hours after Saturday's game, leaving Chris Powell needing to pick his priorities when it comes to team selection.

There is little doubt that the league would top that list by some distance, with the club currently languishing in the relegation zone, four points adrift of safety.

However, they do have three games in hand over Millwall, so they will be confident of being able to overhaul that gap and climb to safety.

Their first task is to end a slump in form that has seen them lose their last four league matches, scoring just one goal in the process.

Their overall winless streak in the Championship stretches to six games, with their last victory in the league coming on Boxing Day.

That win was their only home success in their last five and one of just three all season as the Addicks continue to struggle in front of their own fans.

Only Yeovil Town have picked up fewer points at home than Charlton this season, and they will need to improve that form if they are to stay in the division.

Rhoys Wiggins, Leon Cort and Chris Solly are all doubtful for the hosts, while Diego Poyet could be rested ahead of the two games in three days.

Recent form

Charlton: LWWLLL

QPR: WWWDLL

Possible starting lineups

Charlton: Thuram; Wilson, Morrison, Wood, Evina; Harriott, Jackson, Ajdarevic, Cousins; Ghoochanneijhad, Church

QPR: Green; Hughes, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto; Barton, Carroll; Hoilett, Morrison, Kranjcar; Doyle

Sports Mole says: 0-1

Previews by email