QPR drew a blank at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night, but it is Saturday's trip to Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion that is now commanding attention at Loftus Road. Despite a growing injury list, those close to the club believe the Rs will arrive at The Hawthorns without a shred of trepidation.

Four attackers missing, yet unbeaten on the road

Queens Park Rangers went to The Valley without Ilias Chair, Richard Kone, Koki Saito and Kwame Poku, all sidelined through injury. Losing four attacking options in one go would test any squad's depth, yet QPR kept a clean sheet and extended their unbeaten away record into the new season.

BBC Radio London commentator Andy Rowley, speaking on the latest QPR podcast with presenter Izzy Gilligan, placed that run of form in context. "Given the way people were talking about QPR at the beginning of the season, I think they've done very well at the start of the campaign," he said.

The unbeaten away record is no accident. QPR have carved out chances on their travels and, according to Rowley, could realistically have collected three wins from their opening away fixtures. That platform gives the squad genuine belief heading into one of the toughest fixtures the Championship has to offer right now.

West Brom: a tough nut, but not an impossible one

West Brom sit top of the second tier, and their home form with a full crowd behind them makes The Hawthorns a difficult place to visit. Rowley acknowledged the scale of the challenge directly. "It's looking like quite a tough challenge given the way West Brom have started," he said. "They're a tough nut to crack and they will have the home support behind them."

Yet he stopped well short of tipping a home win. QPR's away record means they carry genuine threat into any ground, and Rowley was clear: "I don't think QPR are really fearing going anywhere at the moment."

The key variable remains the fitness of those four attacking absentees. Even one or two returning for Saturday would sharpen QPR's options considerably in the final third, where they were blunted at Charlton. Rowley expressed cautious optimism that at least some of the group could be available, which would significantly alter the balance of the contest.

What the fixture means for both clubs

For West Brom, three points would extend their lead at the top and reinforce the early-season narrative that they are the division's pacesetters. A slip at home to QPR, by contrast, would invite questions about whether their position at the summit is sustainable.

For QPR, a result at The Hawthorns would do far more than add three points to the tally. It would signal that the Rs belong among the sides capable of challenging the top end of the table, not merely surviving in the division's mid-section. Former Hoops forward Bradley Allen also contributed his thoughts on the podcast, offering a perspective shaped by years of playing in the second tier.

The Rs go into the weekend sitting in a position few predicted before a ball was kicked. A fully fit attacking unit remains the goal for the coaching staff, but the evidence so far suggests QPR can cause problems even when resources are stretched. West Brom lead the table; QPR have nothing to lose and a statement to make.

Frequently asked

When do QPR play West Brom?
QPR travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Kick-off time had not been confirmed in the source at the time of writing; check the official club channels for the exact time.
Who is injured for QPR ahead of the West Brom game?
Ilias Chair, Richard Kone, Koki Saito and Kwame Poku were all absent through injury for QPR's goalless draw at Charlton on Wednesday, and their availability for Saturday's trip to The Hawthorns is uncertain.
Are QPR unbeaten away from home this season?
Yes. According to BBC Radio London's Andy Rowley, QPR were unbeaten in their away fixtures at the start of the season and could have taken three wins from their opening road trips.