DOUGIE Freedman is keeping his fingers crossed for the return of Wanderers stars David Ngog and Chris Eagles as his men bid to their first Championship win at home to Harry Redknapp’s highly-fancied QPR on Saturday.

Ngog and Eagles were notable absentees as Wanderers came up short in a humbling 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.

The Whites and their travelling army of fans were stunned by an opening strike from Jamie Mackie after just 100 seconds of play.

Freedman’s men fought their way back into the game but Andy Reid’s early strike in the second half, Darren Pratley’s dismissal for a second yellow card, and Henri Lansbury’s diving header consigned Wanderers to their first defeat of the campaign.

Eagles has been out of action since injuring his ankle in the first outing of the season at his former club, Burnley, and Ngog came down with an illness just before the weekend which prevented him playing in the Forest clash.

“We were very unfortunate to be missing David Ngog and Chris Eagles through illness and injury,” said Freedman. “Hopefully, Chris will be back training with us in the week and David has had a bit of an illness, but should be back.”

Freedman will also be without the services of Darren Pratley who was dismissed with a straight yellow card soon after Wanderers fell 2-0 behind at Forest.

“Obviously, Darren will be missing (against QPR) because of suspension, but we want to get back to what we do best, and that is winning games of football,” said Freedman.

Meanwhile, Freedman has reiterated he is still looking to strengthen his squad, but was guarded about making promises he cannot fulfil.

“I think we are definitely looking to strengthen, but you have to look at certain issues, like what players you have got coming in and what I have got already,” he said.

Although the season is only three games old, Forest went top of the Championship on Saturday, while QPR are fifth, with only a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield blighting what would otherwise be a 100 per cent record.