R's to check on quartet Mitch Hancox will miss Birmingham's home clash against QPR having been ruled out for at least six weeks with an ankle injury.The left-back is facing a battle to play again this season following the latest in a string of injury problems which have hampered his involvement of late.Midfielder Brian Howard is also sidelined due to an ankle complaint of his own while Lee Novak (hamstring) and Albert Rusnak (groin) will both be assessed.Boss Lee Clark will check on his international contingent when they report back for training on Friday.QPR will hand fitness checks to Niko Kranjcar, Gary O'Neil, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Armand Traore.Kranjcar (hamstring), fellow midfielder O'Neil (hip) and left-back Assou-Ekotto (thigh) all missed last weekend's 1-1 draw against Leeds while winger Traore was struggling with a back injury towards the end of the match.Boss Harry Redknapp can welcome back midfielder Joey Barton from a two-game ban.Right-back Danny Simpson is still out with a back injury, although he is not far away, while top scorer Charlie Austin (shoulder) hopes to be back some time in AprilSource : PA
Source: PA