Chelsea - QPR Preview:Diego Costa to return for Chelsea?

Thegoalmac understands that QPR manager Harry Redknapp has acknowledged his side must be at their very best if they are to get anything from Saturday's west London derby against Chelsea.

Rangers moved off the bottom of the Premier League on Monday night after victory over Aston Villa, but will face a tougher test when they visit the league leaders at Stamford Bridge.
Charlie Austin's brace at Loftus Road ensured QPR won for the second time this season a day after Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United, cutting their cushion at the top to four points.

Jose Mourinho's side bounced back with a hard-fought victory over Shrewsbury in the League Cup on Tuesday and Redknapp believes QPR will be playing this season's probable champions at the weekend.

The former Tottenham manager hopes, however, his side will take heart from their surprise 1-0 win at the same ground in 2012-13, when Shaun Wright Phillips scored to secure victory.

"We pulled off a shock last time, let's hope we can pull off another this weekend," Redknapp said ahead of the game. "We'll need a top performance.

"They're the best team in the country, the team to beat this season for sure, but we'll give it a go. It's a London derby and we're ready for the game. We want to put on a performance for our fans."

Monday's win over Villa was QPR's first in the top flight since August and will provide a much-needed confidence boost as they attempt to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on Chelsea.

Mourinho's side have started the season in fine form but were given a scare at Shrewsbury - needing Jermaine Grandison's own goal to progress - after sharing the spoils against United.

Gary Cahill was one of a host of senior players to feature in midweek and is eager to get back to winning ways in the league.

"I thought we played well against Manchester United but obviously there was disappointment right at the end," Cahill told the club's official website.

"On Saturday it's another home game to look forward to but QPR are coming off the back of a good result. I watched them on Monday [against Aston Villa] and they were great, so yet again it’s another tough game in the Premier League.

"We have to prepare right, rest up after the Shrewsbury game and make sure we're ready."

Mourinho is without suspended defender Cesar Azpilicueta and injured striker Loic Remy (groin), although top scorer Diego Costa and Ramires could return from hamstring and groin problems respectively.

Jordon Mutch, Joey Barton and Nedum Onuoha remain sidelined for QPR with hamstring injuries while Rio Ferdinand serves the first of a three-match ban for comments made on social media.