Team News: Queens Park Rangers go without striker for Watford clash

Joey Barton has returned from suspension to captain a Queens Park Rangers side without a recognised striker for their visit to Watford this afternoon.

Charlie Austin is still out injured, and Bobby Zamora only among the substitutes, so therefore Niko Kranjcar or Junior Hoilett, recalled in place of Jermaine Jenas, are likely to act as the Hoops' most advanced midfielder.

Nedum Onuoha replaces Clint Hill at centre-back, while Yossi Benayoun makes his first start for Rangers as Harry Redknapp prefers him to the more defensive option of Karl Henry in the middle of the park.

New Watford boss Giuseppe Sannino recalled winger Ikechi Anya and striker Fernando Forestieri for the 4-0 Boxing Day win over Millwall, but neither feature in the Hornets squad at Vicarage Road as Hector Bellerin and Diego Fabbrini come in.

Left-back Daniel Pudil is not risked as he battles a hamstring injury, while Chelsea loanee Josh McEachran is only on the bench.

Qpr: Green; Simpson, Onuoha, Dunne, Assou-Ekotto; Barton, Carroll, Benayoun; Phillips, Hoilett, Kranjcar Subs: Murphy; Traore, Johnson, Henry, Zamora, O'Neil, Sendles-White

Watford: Almunia; Doyley, Angella, Ekstrand; Cassetti, McGugan, Thorne, Murray, Bellerin; Fabbrini, Deeney Subs: Bond, Battocchio, McEachran, Acuna, Iriney, O'Nien, Nosworthy