Mark Warburton has cooled talk of Queens Park Rangers pushing for promotion next season.

The Hoops have enjoyed an excellent 2021 so far that has seen them move away from the foot of the table and establish themselves in the top half of the Championship standings.

While a push for promotion seems like a stretch this term the club's run of form has raised questions as to whether the club has what it takes to challenge at the top of the table.

But responding to those hopes, Warburton has said that they must not get carried away with their recent success.

As quoted by West London Sport, Warburton said: “I think we need a sense of reality.

“When you look at some of the budgets that exist in this division – teams that come down from the Premier League – they’re multiples (of QPR’s budget).

“At the end of the day it’s the budget you have, the financial muscle, the type of player you can secure, that all makes such a big difference.

“I’m told we’re in the bottom quarter budget-wise. So if people say QPR deserve to be pushing, what do Nottingham Forest say? Derby or Sheffield Wednesday? Or Huddersfield?

“All these teams would say exactly the same and that’s without mentioning the likes of Watford, Norwich and Bournemouth. These are teams with huge budgets in comparison.

“It’s about reality but also never showing a lack of ambition and desire to push as high as we possibly can.

“Can we maintain the squad? Can we have a good summer window? Can we add one or two and retain one or two?

“If we can do that then we’ll give it our best shot for sure.”

The verdict

Mark Warburton is right not to get carried away with the club's good form.

As he mentions, the Championship is filled with clubs who have the chance of making a surprise push for promotion - that's what makes it one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

It's far too early to make promotion predictions for next term and that's why QPR must focus on strengthening over the coming months as an initial priority.