Hughes backs Zamora to fire

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has tipped Bobby Zamora to remind Fulham what they are missing when the teams meet on Saturday.

After playing a key role for Fulham in his four seasons at the club, Zamora left to join London rivals QPR in January.

The striker will be back in action against his former team when Fulham visit QPR’s Loftus Road home in the English Premier League this weekend.

Hughes will also be tackling his former team – the Welshman spent one season in charge at Craven Cottage before resigning in June 2011.

“Well, Bobby is looking forward to the game,” Hughes said.

“Obviously when you come up against a former club, invariably players want to do well against their former employers.”

“Bobby was fantastic for me at Fulham and previous managers at Fulham and had a huge influence on the success they had in recent times, so his impact there shouldn’t be underestimated.”

“Yes, he’ll be looking to make an impression and he’ll want to keep the impact that he’s had on ourselves and keep that going.”

“He scored against Wolves last time out at home and we hope that he’ll continue to integrate into the group and have that impact for us.”

Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed labelled Hughes a ‘flop’ after his sudden departure from the club, but the former Manchester City and Wales coach defended his record in west London.

“Obviously the circumstances of my departure mean that some people … don’t appreciate the work that you actually did in your time there and I understand that,” he said.

“But since I’ve left I’ve met many Fulham fans and I’ve had compliments from them for the work that I did, albeit only for a short time.”

“I’d back my record at Fulham against anybody else’s. I think eighth in the Premier League for Fulham is an outstanding job and I don’t consider that to be a lack of success.”