Queens Park Rangers

The Julien Stephan era gets underway at Loftus Road on Saturday as Queens Park Rangers entertain Preston North End.

The Frenchman was appointed in June as successor to Marti Cifuentes and his first challenge comes in the form of Paul Heckingbottom's Lilywhites, who stayed up on the final day of last season.

• QPR have won each of their last four league games against Preston North End, as many victories as across their prior 17 meetings with the Lancashire side combined (D4 L9).

• Preston North End have lost four of their last six away league games against QPR (W2) and will be looking to avoid losing three in succession for the first time since 2010.

• QPR have lost their opening league match in each of the last three seasons – they've never done so in four in a row before.

• Preston have failed to win their opening league game in each of the last six seasons (D2 L4), though their last victory on the opening day did come against QPR (1-0 in 2018-19).

• Only Cardiff, Oxford and Plymouth (2 each) won fewer away games in the Championship last season than Preston (3), with the Lancashire side winless in their last seven on the road (D2 L5).

QPR boss Julien Stephan praised his side's mindset following their 1-0 pre-season defeat by Premier League side Brentford.

"It was a difficult game but I liked the way the players stayed all together until the last second," the Frenchman told BBC Radio London.

The R's face Preston North End at Matrade Loftus Road in their Championship opener on Saturday.

Listen to all the latest QPR content on BBC Sounds.

"He was just a man of the people. He would sit down with anyone, whether you were a chairman or a fan, and talk about that day in 1967 like it was yesterday.

"If anyone gets a chance, look up 'Mark Lazarus wins the league cup' and it's every schoolboy's dream and God bless him, he made us dream."

BBC Radio London is joined by Queens Park Rangers fan and podcaster Paul Finney to remember club legend Mark Lazarus after his passing at age 86.

Listen to the full tribute on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Queens Park Rangers legend Mark Lazarus has died at the age of 86, the club said., external

The winger made 235 appearances over three stints with the Rs, scoring the winning goal against West Bromwich Albion in the 1967 League Cup final.

He scored a total of 84 goals for the club.

Queens Park Rangers head coach Julien Stephan said his side's 2-2 draw with Heerenveen was their best performance so far in pre-season.

Kader Dembele and Daniel Bennie both scored in the match on Saturday.

The R's will face Brentford in their final pre-season game on Saturday, 2 August at Loftus Road before beginning the Championship season against Preston North End the following weekend.

Find all the latest QPR interviews on BBC Sounds.

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Elijah Dixon-Bonner, 24, has attracted interest from National League side Carlisle United following the Englishman's week-long trial with Walsall. (West London Sport), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

QPR have signed South African centre-back Tylon Smith.

The 20-year-old has been brought in from Stellenbosch FC for an undisclosed fee and will initially play for Rangers' development side.

He was named player of the tournament at this year's Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which South Africa won.

"I'm very happy to be here. I'm really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent," Smith told the club website. , external

Queens Park Rangers have received a bid from Luton Town for English striker Charlie Kelman. The 23-year-old was League One's highest scorer while on loan with Leyton Orient last season. (West London Sport), external

The Hoops may also see another of their young English attackers depart with a number of League One teams interested in a loan move for 22-year-old forward Alfie Lloyd. (West London Sport), external

In terms of replacements, Colchester United striker Samson Tovide, 21 has attracted the eye of QPR for a possible return to his home city. (West London Sport), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Jimmy Dunne has been named as the new Queens Park Rangers club captain for the coming season.

The 27-year-old defender, who was named player of the year by both the Rs fans and players for last season, signed a new contract with the club last month.

Dunne, who joined the London side from Burnley four years ago, told the club website, external: "I was definitely a kid when I came here and the experiences with the different head coaches have definitely been very valuable.

"I definitely understand the game a lot better than I did at the start. I'm less emotional in my decision-making than I was when I first came. But I'm still just as eager to win."

Leicester City have made a verbal agreement with former Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes to become their new head coach, with the 43-year-old Spaniard reportedly contributing to his own compensation package with the Hoops. (TalkSport), external

Brazilian defender Hevertton Santos, 24, is set to leave QPR for Portuguese side Gil Vicente following the signing of Australian right-back Kealey Adamson in June. (West London Sport), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Preston North End are set to beat Charlton Athletic and QPR to the signing of Brighton defender Odeluga Offiah. (London World), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.