“It makes it more fun” – Cifuentes relishes busy week ahead as QPR try to end winless run

Marti Cifuentes is not concerned about a lack of preparation time as his QPR side get ready for the second of three games in the space of six days.

The R’s are at home to Stoke City on Tuesday night.

A 1-0 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday means that Cifuentes is still searching for his first victory as Rangers boss, and the club’s winless run now stands at 12 matches.

However, the Spaniard is looking forward to taking on the challenges that the Championship has to offer.

“It [the schedule] is the way it is,” said Cifuentes. “I am not losing sleep trying to control things that I cannot. We knew the schedule. It is a league with a lot of games, that makes it more fun and more intense. I love that.

“It is about preparing well with the window we have. It is the same for all of the teams. The guys will be very ready.”

Cifuentes confirmed that defender Reggie Cannon will return to the squad after missing the last two games through injury, and with Paul Smyth also back from suspension the QPR boss now has some potential selection dilemmas on his hands.

“The way I am as a coach, I like when the squad is balanced and everyone can compete for positions [in the team] and there is really high internal competition,” explained Cifuentes.

“I like to have profiles in the squad that can give us different variations when it comes to game-to-game approaches, the game plan and how to use their strengths.

“I told the guys that there will be moments for everybody in the squad during the season. In a week like this it is very important that the whole squad is focused and is ready to take the chance [to play].”

PICTURE: ROB AVIS