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Hughes eyes more new recruits Mark Hughes wants more new faces at QPR before the transfer window shuts next week. The Welshman replaced Neil Warnock at the Loftus Road helm earlier this month and has made no secret of his intention to bring in reinforcements. AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo and Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha were drafted in this week, while the Rs were thwarted in moves for Brazilian duo Alex and Henrique. Hughes has been linked with a host of other players and hopes there is more business to be done, with some reports suggesting a move for Wigan's Hugo Rodallega could be on the cards. "I think there was some talk of that," Hughes said when asked about the striker. "As you can imagine there are a lot of conversations going on at the moment. "Forward players, midfield players, defenders - that is what happens in the January window. "In terms of concrete movement on things it really isn't worth discussing individual things until they put the kit on and start training with us. "January is what it is and is a time when you have conversations with people in regards to the position of players at people's clubs. "Sometimes those conversations are misinterpreted as strong interest." Hughes was also questioned about interest in Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar and Wigan's Victor Moses to which he responded: "These are all names that get bandied about. "If you looked at the list of all the players in my office we would be here for a long time." One player Hughes confirmed an interest in is Mali international Samba Diakite. Press Association Sport revealed yesterday that QPR are in talks to sign the Nancy defensive midfielder and Hughes hopes a deal can be thrashed out. "We are hoping to progress that," he said. "He is a player I like and I think he will help us. "We're hopeful that the conversations we're having will lead to something but nothing is confirmed as yet." QPR will be without a host of first-team players for the FA Cup fourth round tie against west London rivals Chelsea. Akos Buzsaky is struggling to feature with an Achilles injury, while Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Connolly and Heidar Helguson are also doubts. Strikers Jay Bothroyd (groin) and DJ Campbell (hamstring) are definitely sidelined, while Armand Traore and Adel Taarabt are on international duty. New signing Taiwo is also unavailable as he waits for his work permit to be rubber-stamped, although Onuoha could make his debut. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted QPR's Anton Ferdinand should shake hands with John Terry before the game. Villas-Boas said he hoped and expected Ferdinand not to snub Terry, despite allegations the Rangers defender was the victim of a racist slur from the England captain during October's Barclays Premier League game between the sides. The players square off for the first time since then, and just four days before the court case begins in which Terry stands accused of abusing Ferdinand. Ferdinand is reportedly agonising over whether to shake Terry's hand before tomorrow's match, amid fears it could be viewed as hypocritical. Asked if it was important he did so, Villas-Boas said: "Extremely important, extremely important." He added: "This game is based on good values more than anything else. "These players should continue to promote these good values." Villas-Boas confirmed the matter had been discussed with Terry, who denies having racially abused Ferdinand. The Chelsea boss said: "Everybody has been having conversations, from the top, to the players, to the manager." Frank Lampard will miss the match at Loftus Road with the calf tear he suffered at Norwich on Saturday, while John Obi Mikel remains out with a hamstring problem.
Match Report
Controversial Mata pen sends Blues through Juan Mata's hotly-disputed penalty helped Chelsea secure a 1-0 victory in a tempestuous FA Cup fourth-round tie at west London rivals QPR. A match that for an hour was completely devoid of the kind of flashpoints that marred October's Barclays Premier League meeting suddenly had one when Clint Hill was harshly adjudged to have bundled over Daniel Sturridge. Mata stepped up to score the only goal of a game dominated by the reunion between Chelsea captain John Terry and Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, neither of whom put a foot wrong following what had been the most combustible of build-ups. The match itself was always going to struggle to live up to the drama that preceded it, which culminated in full body searches for fans entering the ground and the cancellation of the traditional pre-match handshake. The former was prompted after police last night confirmed they were investigating allegations Ferdinand had received "malicious communication", although they refused to reveal whether it contained a bullet. Ferdinand and Terry were spared having to shake hands with each other after the Football Association agreed the clubs did not have to undertake the traditional pre-match ritual. Ferdinand had reportedly been agonising over whether to accept Terry's hand four days before the court case begins in which the Chelsea and England captain stands accused of racially abusing his fellow defender. Terry denies the charge, which relates to an altercation between the pair in October's league clash at Loftus Road. But that did not prevent him being jeered every time he touched the ball today, while he was also the victim of numerous abusive taunts. Chelsea fans refrained from using the notorious "Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are" chant that they were warned would see them punished, although they did sing "Anton, what's the score?" after the visitors took the lead. Both sets of supporters cranked up the decibel level before kick-off but had little to cheer in a disappointing first half that saw only one shot on target. That came after Mata, playing more centrally in the absence of Frank Lampard, pounced on a Luke Young slip in the 12th minute and unleashed a 15-yard drive too close to Paddy Kenny. Otherwise, the final ball from both sides was sadly lacking, meaning a succession of speculative efforts that were well off target. A fixture that had seen Chelsea reduced to nine men in October was also a more controlled affair and it was almost half an hour before Mike Dean brandished the first yellow card for a Shaun Wright-Phillips foul on Raul Meireles. Ramires should have done better with great cutback opportunity after being released by a wonderful Mata backheel but neither side deserved to be ahead at half-time. QPR threw on Federico Macheda for Heidar Helguson at the restart but it was Chelsea who flew out of the blocks, with Fitz Hall booked for handball before Sturridge lashed over after great work from Fernando Torres. But the game really exploded into life on the hour mark. Petr Cech parried a Wright-Phillips cross just too far in front of the outstretched foot of Jamie Mackie and Chelsea surged down the other end and won a penalty. QPR were furious at the award but Mata shrugged off the jeers to score, the midfielder celebrating with most of his team-mates in front of the visiting fans. Terry was a notable absentee. Ashley Cole was carded for fouling Wright-Phillips before Chelsea lost Ramires to a serious-looking injury. The midfielder appeared to twist his ankle blocking a shot and - after several minutes' treatment - was carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Oriol Romeu. QPR had already thrown on Rob Hulse, who was denied a penalty in the dying minutes. And there was a flashpoint deep into stoppage-time when Romeu was booked for diving in on Hulse, with Young almost snatching a draw when his 20-yard drive was parried by Cech.
