Fighting talk as Phil Brown gets ready for QPR rumble

With Preston nine points adrift of safety and bottom of the Championship, it is hardly surprising manager Phil Brown has called on his team to get physical with table-toppers Queens Park Rangers this weekend.

Unfortunately for Brown, QPR are capable of holding their own in such a contest.

Ahead of tomorrow's Deepdale clash, Brown said: "Pitches at this stage of the season are not conducive to football and we have got to battle and scrap to try to get whatever points we can. We could give QPR a real fright and a run for their money."

But make no mistake, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill, Kaspar Gorkss and Co will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of a physical battle.

Meanwhile, striker Rob Hulse insists he is ready to prove he is worth the £1million QPR paid Derby for his services after just one goal in 17 appearances so far.

Hulse said: "I'm settled now. Coming in when I was injured made it a difficult start for me."