McClaren: QPR can cause an upset against Watford

QPR boss Steve McClaren believes his players are capable of upsetting Watford in the FA Cup fifth round.

Rangers are in the last 16 for the first time in 22 years, having beaten Portsmouth 2-0 in a replay at Loftus Road.

They will now face Premier League opposition for a place in the quarter-finals.

And, speaking at his post-match press conference, McClaren suggested the R’s can win a week on Friday if their key players perform to the best of their ability.

“It’s the FA Cup and anything can happen,” McClaren said.

“We’re at home, it’s Friday night under the lights and it’s an opportunity for certain individuals and the team to show themselves against Premier League opponents.

“Watford are a very good team and we’ll have to put in a top performance to get any kind of result.

“I just hope we put a performance in that justifies what we’ve been doing.

“This is an opportunity. We’ll be underdogs. I just want to make sure that the team gives a great performance.”

McClaren was also delighted to see on-loan striker Tomer Hemed return to action after injury.

Hemed, out since December with a hernia, came on as a late substitute.

“He’s trained less than a week and to just get him on the bench and on the field was a big bonus for us,” said McClaren.

“He’s still, in terms of fitness, two or three weeks away. But to take the first step is very important for him and us.”