QPR boss Mark Hughes is more than mindful of the significance of Saturday's home fixture against Wigan Athletic in the Barclays Premier League. The Rangers gaffer - who will oversee his first home league match in charge of the R's on Saturday afternoon - has studied the fixture list time and again since his arrival in W12 last week and is fully aware his side now face a crucial run of fixtures in the Premier League. "We're all mindful of the significance of this game, as well as the next six or seven that follow," he told www.qpr.co.uk. "A positive result at the weekend will set us up nicely for the games that lie ahead. "We're aware of the need to get points on the board sooner rather than later and if we can start winning games now, that will help us when we come up against the so-called bigger boys towards the latter stages of the campaign." Hughes will be able to call on the services of skipper Joey Barton this weekend, with the midfielder free to resume playing duties following the completion of his three-match ban. The R's boss added: "I'm delighted Joey's back. "He obviously comes into the reckoning this weekend and it will certainly help us out having him back. "Hopefully we can build on the last two performances and get a much-needed victory." With two games in three days earlier this week, Hughes also provided a brief update on the injury front, adding: "A few of the guys are a little bit stiff. "Danny didn't join in today, so we'll assess him tomorrow, but other than that we're okay." He concluded: "We've lost a key player in Ali Faurlin, who I was really looking forward to working with. "We've got good players away on international duty in Taarabt and Traore and we don't know when they'll be back. The sooner we get them back the better. "It's a difficult time, so we need to make sure we're strong enough in the interim period. "This is a crucial time for us, so if we can get some good business done before the end of the month then that will stand us in good stead." http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2582072,00.html? Well Sparky, Ali got injured before you arrived. Just HOW long have you been waiting in the wings?
