QPR have won five of their previous seven games that has seen the side go from relegation candidates to sitting just outside the play-offs.

It's a fine achievement from Steve McClaren's men and everyone connected to the club deserves credit for how things have turned around.

Such form will also have also changed the expectations at Loftus Road, with some fans now dreaming of a sustained challenge for the top six.

Whether that's realistic remains to be seen and a January transfer ban is certainly not going to help the former England boss.

That means McClaren will have to work with the current squad and over a long, hard season he will need everyone to step up to make a mark.

Here we look at TWO fringe players who could still have a big role to play for the R's this season...

The former Barnsley midfielder has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent months, starting just twice since August.

However, he has shown in the past he has a lot of ability and can be a big player for the R's with his all-round game from the middle of the park.

In such a demanding league, his chance is sure to come in the coming months and it's down to the 25-year-old to take it.

Similarly, Smith has been a substitute for most of the season and it will be frustrating the target man.

But, he is another who has proven himself at this level and his aerial ability is well-known.

Strikers can go in and out of form regularly, so you wouldn't back against the former Leeds man eventually forcing his way into McClaren's plans.