New Derby County manager Gary Rowett will know his side realistically need to pick up all three points to keep their play-off hopes alive when they host Queens Park Rangers at the Pride Park Stadium tonight.

The Rams sit in 10th position in the Championship standings – and nine points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday – with just eight fixtures of the season remaining, so time is running out for the east Midlands outfit.

County have won just one of their last ten league matches and it certainly won’t be easy to pick up a victory against an in-form QPR side, who are just three points behind Rowett’s men in the table.

Ian Holloway’s side have won five of their last seven Championship fixtures as they look to finish a disappointing campaign strongly, and they drew 0-0 away at Leeds United in their previous away game.

Here are THREE Rangers players that could end Derby’s top six aspirations…

Yeni N’Gbakoto

Despite enduring a tough start to his Queens Park Rangers career following the death of his father, the 25-year-old – who joined from French side Metz last summer – has certainly bounced back and established himself in the first-team since November.

The forward has scored three goals in his last seven Championship fixtures – including a stunning free-kick against Birmingham City and a goal in the 5-1 thrashing of Rotherham United before the international break – as well as providing three assists.

Matt Smith

The 27-year-old striker moved to QPR from Fulham during the January transfer window as Ian Holloway looked to add goals to his side, and he hasn’t disappointed.

Smith has scored three in eight Championship appearances – as well as providing two assists, including one in the 5-1 victory against Rotherham a fortnight ago – and the Derby defence will need to be aware of the threat he brings both on the ground and in the air at Pride Park.

Luke Freeman

The midfielder was another January transfer window signing for Queens Park Rangers after joining from Bristol City, and he has quickly become a key player for the west London outfit in recent weeks.

Despite picking up a red card in the defeat to Preston last month, Freeman has also scored two goals in eight appearances – including one in the thrashing of the Millers before the international break – as well as providing two assists to show just how influential he can be.