STRIKE duo Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Bob Taylor look like winning the fitness race but Wanderers could be without skipper Gudni Bergsson when they take on struggling Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
The Icelander, who was sent off at Loftus Road when the teams met in the Premiership in December 1995, aggravated a groin problem in Wednesday night's 3-1 victory over Port Vale and could join fellow defender Mark Fish on the sidelines.
Neil Cox, who lost his place in the starting line-up in the Worthington Cup tie at Norwich but returned as a substitute in midweek, is on standby.
Andy Todd and Greg Strong are expected to continue as the centre-back pairing.
Despite the defensive problems which delayed his selection as the squad left for London at lunchtime, Colin Todd has been boosted by reports on Gunnlaugsson and Taylor who were withdrawn after scoring and taking knocks in the Port Vale game.
That stylish victory ended a run of three successive league defeats - the ideal confidence booster as Wanderers try to lift themselves back among the leading lights in the division.
But Rangers hoisted themselves off the foot of the table when they ended a run of five successive defeats with a 2-1 victory over Barnsley on the same night and, although Wanderers start clear favourites, Todd knows Gerry Francis will be psyching up his players for a battle.
"Any team is going to raise its game against us," the manager said. "We've seen that already. But, in QPR's case, they have had a midweek win like ourselves and I know what their manager will be saying: they've beaten one of the teams relegated from the Premiership and now they're facing another!
"They've had their first win after a bad run and they'll be looking to build on that. But so have we and I know we are determined to get a run going."
Wanderers Junior Whites meet at the Reebok on Monday (5.45) when young fans will have their last chance to book places for the Christmas Party to be held on Sunday, Dec 13 (cost £3).
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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