QPR boss Neil Critchley has urged supporters to stick with their team as they look for a much-needed victory away to in-form Middlesbrough.

The Rs are still yet to win in 2023 and their 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland on Tuesday made it four defeats and five draws from the last nine league games.

Critchley said: “I completely understand the frustration, we’ve not given them what they’ve deserved these past few months.

“It’s my responsibility to turn that around – with the support of the players – as soon as possible.

“I was told before I came here how good the fans are and how much they get behind the team. I’ve felt that.

“Quite rightly, there is frustration around the place – they obviously care and we do, too. We’re all hurting. It’s about everyone sticking together – we need our supporters with us.”

A trip to the Riverside will not make matters any easier, with Middlesbrough currently flourishing under Michael Carrick, who joined the club in November.

Carrick has won 12 of his 16 games in charge, taking the club from 21st in the table to genuine automatic promotion contenders, and Critchley is aware of the challenge his team faces.

“Michael Carrick has done a fantastic job – they’ve responded to him since he arrived and are one of the form teams in the division,” Critchley added.

“They got a fantastic result in midweek at Sheffield United and we couldn’t face a more difficult task away from home but my focus is on our team and what we can improve.”

Chris Willock looks set to miss the game and there are concerns over full-back Ethan Laird, who was withdrawn on Tuesday, though Tyler Roberts looks set to return.

“Ethan Laird came off in midweek and we’re awaiting results of a scan this morning. I am hopeful that we’ll get some good news on him”, said Critchley.

“Chrissy Willock will miss this one with a hamstring problem – he’s frustrated and so are we.

“The injury situation isn’t great at the moment, but it is what it is and you can’t use it as an excuse.”

However, in brighter news on the injury front, Critchley was able to confirm that Lyndon Dykes had returned to training.

Dykes was admitted to hospital at the end of January and released a fortnight ago.

The Rs boss said “it gave everyone a lift” when the striker returned to their Heston training ground on Thursday.

“Dykesy is a great guy, you heard him straight away!” he said. “He’s desperate to get back and is already pushing himself.

“At the moment, he’s just doing low-level physical stuff. We’ll take it step-by-step with him.”