RICHIE Smallwood believes in-form QPR will be running in to a confident Rovers side at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Steve McClaren’s men are the form team in the division, with 23 points from their last 11 games, to move above Rovers in the table and into 10th.

But Smallwood insists Rovers have a strong self-belief and are confident of making it back-to-back wins in front of their fans.

They beat a Leeds United side backed by more than 7,700 fans last time out at Ewood and know a victory this weekend would see them move above the Rs in the table and within striking distance of the top six.

“The games are never easy in this league,” Smallwood said. “They (QPR) didn’t have a great start but they have won seven games now and are ahead of us in the table now so it will be a big game.

“Their confidence will be high, but so is ours, and we know that our home form is good and we will be trying to get those three points.”

Rovers haven’t lost consecutive league games since April 2017 and ensured that run would last for a little while longer after battling their way to a point at West Brom on Saturday - a game which ended with Smallwood in goal after injury to David Raya.

Tony Mowbray’s men were beaten 3-1 at Swansea City last week, their third loss of the season, but that hasn’t dampened the mood within the camp, according to Smallwood.

Rovers fought their way to a point courtesy of a fine Harrison Reed equaliser which gives them something to build on against a QPR side who have rallied after losing each of their opening four matches.

“There was little blip in the midweek game against Swansea, we weren’t happy with the second half,” the 28-year-old added.

“When you lose a game you’re never happy but it didn’t knock the confidence or the spirit and character.

“We came here still full of confidence, knowing we could get a result and even after the first half (going in 1-0 behind) we knew that we could hurt them.

“I thought we were the better team on the day and had the better chances.”

Rovers are currently 12th in the table, three points off the top six but Mowbray’s men are faring the best of the three sides promoted from League One last season. Champions Wigan are two points behind Rovers in 14th while Rotherham United are down in 21st.

And Smallwood believes that shows how well Rovers have adapted to life in the second tier.

“Coming up and having had a successful season last year, we knew it was going to be hard this season,” he added.

“But I think we’ve adapted well. We’ve had some positive results, and long may that continue.”