Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between QPR and Nottingham Forest at Loftus Road, where defeat would see Rangers' automatic promotion hopes ended.

Queens Park Rangers will see their hopes of automatic promotion ended should they suffer defeat to Nottingham Forest at Loftus Road on Saturday lunchtime.

The Hoops were heavy favourites to win the Championship this season after being relegated from the Premier League with an experienced and talented squad.

However, they have been outgunned by Leicester City and Burnley so far this campaign, and the Clarets will become uncatchable for Harry Redknapp's side if they lose to Forest.

The Midlands outfit were another team expected to strongly challenge for a position in the top two, but a managerial change and a series of high-profile injuries have resulted in a disastrous run of form.

Forest have fallen from likely playoff participants to 10th place after failing to win in 11 league matches since February 19, with interim boss Gary Brazil picking up only two points from his opening four games.

They remain within four points of sixth place in a race for the final playoff spot that incorporates teams as far back as 13th-placed Middlesbrough, but certainly do not have momentum on their side.

One positive for the Reds has been the performances of Jamie Paterson, a £750,000 summer signing from Walsall who has scored seven goals in his last 13 appearances, including the late equaliser as Forest came from two down to draw 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

That comeback shows that fighting spirit remains high at the City Ground, no doubt boosted by the news that former hero Stuart Pearce will become the club's new manager in the summer.

However, time is running out for them to rescue their promotion ambitions and victory in London this weekend may be imperative if they are to make the top six, and would consign QPR to the playoffs.

Danny Collins is suspended after being sent off against Wednesday, and Kelvin Wilson and Jack Hobbs also remain sidelined to leave the visitors light in defence. David Vaughan and Chris Cohen are out.

There could be a surprise recall for Marcus Tudgay, who was loaned out to Barnsley earlier in the season, in attack after the veteran striker came off the bench to prompt Forest's revival against the Owls.

Nedum Onuoha, Aaron Hughes and Joey Barton are all doubts for Rangers after picking up injuries in the 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, while Matt Phillips will definitely not feature.

Charlie Austin, QPR's top goalscorer with 14, may be handed his first start since January after recovering from a shoulder problem to make cameos as a substitutes in the club's last two matches.

Recent form

QPR: LLDWWL

Forest: DLDLLD

Possible starting lineups

QPR: Green; Simpson, Dunne, Hill Assou-Ekotto; Carroll, Henry; Traore, Krancjar, Benayoun; Austin

Forest: Darlow; Jara, Peltier, Lascelles, Harding; Paterson, Greening, Reid, Lansbury, Mackie; Tudgay

Sports Mole says: 1-1