Gregory's outside help

John Gregory will have Chelsea to thank if defender Michael Mancienne makes a swift return for QPR in tonight's game against Plymouth at Loftus Road.

Mancienne missed the trip to Leicester on Saturday with a back complaint but the Rangers boss sent the on-loan Chelsea player back to his parent club for treatment to speed up his recovery process.

Gregory said of the 19-year-old: "Michael has got a groin problem that has restricted the mobility in his right hamstring a little bit.

"Because we are so close with Chelsea, Michael is able to pop back to Cobham every now and then and get some treatment which he did last week.

"He saw their club doctor and had an injection in his back to help speed up the healing process."

Pat Kanyuka (thigh) and midfielder Simon Walton (broken leg) are ruled out, while Gareth Ainsworth has resumed training but is still not match fit.

Plymouth manager Ian Holloway, making a return to his former club, has reported no fresh injury concerns.

On-loan defender Larrys Mabiala is out with a knee injury but Lee Hodges, Lilian Nalis, Akos Buzsaky and Peter Halmosi are all available.