Hughes: Survival the only concern

11 May 2012 20:19

QPR boss Mark Hughes says his sole focus is Premier League survival as his side prepare to face Manchester City in their final game on Sunday.

Hughes' team are two points clear of the relegation zone, but travel to Etihad Stadium knowing a victory for City would seal their first title for 44 years.

The Londoners will have one eye on Stoke, who they hope will deny 18th-placed Bolton victory, which would ensure QPR's survival whatever the result in Manchester.

The former City boss is in no doubt about the size of the task facing his side in Manchester.

"It's not going to be easy," he said. "Manchester City are an outstanding football team and the prize that they're going for is the ultimate prize.

"For us to deny them the opportunity to do that will be difficult for us, I think everybody acknowledges it but as we just alluded to I think that this season has been so unpredictable you can never say that a result is a given.

"We fully intend to go there with the intention of getting the points we need to be safe."

Whatever the outcome of Sunday's matches, Hughes feels his side is on the path to a bright future.

"In the whole context of QPR, I think if we don't stay in the Premier League, what is in place for QPR will still continue and still happen," he said.

"What we want to happen is to stay in the Premier League, that process is accelerated, and we can get on with really building this club to where we want it to be in the future. That's the exciting part and that's why I came here."