SAM Allardyce says a win is vital tonight as Wanderers aim to pull out of a slide that is ruining their super start to the season.

Saturday's draw against Crystal Palace when the Londoners pulled back from 3-1 down with three minutes remaining will haunt the Wanderers for some time to come.

But a win tonight could banish the blues and put them back on the road to promotion contention.

Results on Saturday meant that Wanderers remained in sixth place but that gave the clubs beneath them the chance to close ths gap while the loss of two points cost them the opportunity to move into the top four.

At least the timing of tonight's game gives the players an early opportunity to make amends for Saturday's lapses.

But QPR, despite going through something of a lean time, will not be daunted by their visit to the Reebok.

They have gone six games without a win but they will have been heartened by the way Palace were able to pick up a point on Saturday.

Before the weekend Allardyce had been looking at the back-to-back home games on Saturday and tonight as the springboard to make up ground on the runaway leaders Fulham and Watford.

But already more injuries are threatening to give his side a barren time.

Simon Charlton and the versatile Ian Marshall are unlikely to figure tonight after picking up injuries against Palace which means that Robbie Elliott will probably continue at left back with Gareth Farrelly taking the centre of midfield.

Up front, there's not a lot choice for the manager.

Michael Ricketts and Isaiah Rankin look the likely starters with the Bradford man making probably his final appearance at the Reebok before returning to Valley Parade after Saturday's trip to Birmingham.

Ricketts was among the goals on Saturday, showing a cool head as he tapped home a rebound, and tonight would be a good time to remind the home fans of his potential.

Allardyce says the young striker is hungry for a regular starting place in the side and his anger when he fails to make the line-up shows that he's eager to impress.

It's not that there's been a shortage of goals, it's just that they've been coming at the wrong time.

The irony is that when defence plays well and shuts out the opposition the front men can't make it count at the other end. When they do start hit the target, the defence leaks goals.

Because of what's happened over the last week or so, Allardyce feels his side may be a bit tentative, perhaps a little nervous for tonight's game.

In view of that he has asked them to be brave, positive and above all else, mentally strong and to play as he knows they can. If that happens the corner may be turned