By Editor
March 1 2003

Marc Bircham, Richard Langley and Gino Padula face fitness tests ahead of the important game against Swindon at the County Ground. Bircham is being troubled by back and groin problems, while Langley is expected to shake off a thigh strain.

Padula limped out of last weekend's draw against Mansfield with a knee injury but has made a good recovery.

Tommy Williams is pushing for a return following ankle ligament damage, Lee Cook is fit again after a hip injury, and Richard Pacquette is back in the squad after a hamstring problem.

Rangers will come up against Swindon striker Sam Parkin, who supported QPR as a boy.

"I started going to watch QPR when I was five and had a season ticket for years," said Parkin.

"We sat in the Ellerslie Road and spent the next few seasons in the Loft. They were good times.

"I still get down there sometimes when I'm not playing and have seen them a couple of times this season.

"It really is terrible to see them down in the Second Division now having spent so long in the top division. Hopefully, the club will soon get back to where it belongs.

"But as far as I'm concerned, Swindon is the most important thing. With a few wins, maybe we could be part of the play-off picture, so it's important we get a win against them."

Parkin, who will be aiming to score his 20th goal of the season against the Rs, added: "I've been scoring more and I think that's because I've been more selfish.

"Before, I concentrated a lot on my all-round play. But Andy King (Swindon manager) has been keen for me to get in the box more and get goals.

"It's been going well and hopefully that will carry on because I'd love to score against QPR, even though my mates probably won't speak to me if I do."

Parkin might have joined Rangers three years ago, when he was recommended to Gerry Francis by Ray Wilkins, who was coaching Parkin at Chelsea at the time.

"Rangers were still in the First Division then and it would have been harder to get into the first-team there at that point," Parkin explained.

"It would have been a dream to play for QPR but I had to think of my career.

"I played in a reserve game for Rangers and Gerry Francis was keen to have another look at me. But Wycombe came in for me and I went there on loan instead."