Jim Magilton faces a couple of selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday's game against QPR.

Pablo Counago starts a three match ban after the FA rejected Town's appeal over his red card at Scunthorpe last week.

Alan Lee is set to make his 100^th appearance for Blues but who plays alongside him is something for the boss to ponder.

Shefki Kuqi is an unlikely to feature as he recovers from a hamstring injury and Jon Walters is sidelined for six weeks after cartilage surgery.

Jim could switch Danny Haynes in attack or give Jordan Rhodes a first start. Another option is to have either Gary Roberts or Gavin Williams playing off the frontman.

"Gary has been out on loan, so he's had some games and could play off Alan, which is a role he likes," says Jim. "Gavin also likes that role, so he is another option.

"Jordan has been on the periphery of the team all year. He's done very well and scored a lot of goals, so deserves an opportunity. Whether or not it comes on Saturday, I will make a decision on."

At the other end of the pitch, Jim has another big decision with recent loan signing from Manchester United, Danny Simpson, pushing for a first start for Town after coming off the bench against Scunthorpe last weekend.

QPR arrive at Portman Road in mid table but with outside hopes of the Play-Offs and are on a decent run with just one defeat in eight games.

Dubbed the richest club in Britain after being bought out by Formula 1 tycoons, Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, as well as steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, they are certainly a different proposition from the team that drew 1-1 with Town in October.

Jim is under no illusions about the size of the task but has confidence in his team to emerge with three vital points.

"We're at home, so I expect us to win," he says. "It will be a difficult game though, QPR are a team very much on the up.

"They play very attacking football and have some dangerous players. Rowan Vine and Akos Buzsaky on the wings, Patrick Agyemang and Dexter Blackstock up front. We need to defend well.

"They scored three goals at Wolves last weekend and didn't win, which shows how they are going about games. I also saw them against Stoke the other week and they played very well and deserved to win.

"They will bring a good crowd with them, so it will be a decent atmosphere and it's the first of seven massive games for us but I fully believe that my players can produce a performance to win the game."

Rangers will be missing the suspended Damien Delaney and have injury worries over Martin Rowlands and Matt Connolly.

Kick-off at Portman Road is 3pm with a crowd approaching 24,000 expected, Rangers bringing a big support. Full ticket details on the Club website.