IF Wanderers are going through a bad spell, it's no better for QPR and their manager Gerry Francis.

At least Sam Allardyce's side had a cushion of early season points to protect them when they hit lean times. Francis didn't.

Rangers have gone six games without a win which has left them in the danger zone at the foot of the table. It's not that they don't have the players, it's just that injuries have robbed Francis of players in key areas.

The back four has been badly affected with Danny Maddix, Karl Ready, Ian Barraclough and Tim Breacker missing while the midfield has also been hit by the broken foot suffered by Paul Murray.

That is threatening to keep him out action for four months and comes just as the player, dubbed 'the new Paul Ince', had returned from a career threatening knee injury.

Francis has acted quickly to shore up his defence by taking Blackburn's Marlon Broomes on loan. It's a move that could benefit both as Broomes, a former England under 21 star, bids to put a series of injuries behind him while adding strength and a touch of class to the Loftus Road back four.

"Because of our injuries it's was vitally important we brought in a centre half but we needed someone with quality. Marlon fits the bill and I tried to get him before but the deal didn't quite work out," said Francis.

One area Francis is reasonably happy with is the forward line where former Arsenal player Chris Kiwomya is striking fear into the opposition after claiming six goals in 11 games.

He links well with the experienced Gavin Peacock, who despite a long career in the game, still has class and the goal scoring ability to worry most defences.

It means Mark Fish and the rest of the Wanderers back line will have to be on their guard to snuff out the danger.

If Bolton can keep a clean sheet and stop QPR going forward, the chances are that Wanderers led by Michael Ricketts will be able to find the target.

And with Sam Allardyce preaching the virtues of returning to basic defending and not giving goals away it seems certain that the Super Whites will be a lot tighter at the back than during the last four minutes of Saturday's debacle against Crystal Palace.

It's a crunch game and QPR will be no pushovers but Wanderers need the win.