Scott Parker has ‘no regrets’ signing for Fulham instead of QPR - even though he would be in the Premier League rather than on Saturday's bus to Ipswich.

Rewind a year, and the England international nurtured outside hopes of inclusion in this summer’s World Cup.

He now smiles ruefully at the thought of second tier football for the first time that includes the delights of a Tuesday trip to Rotherham in October.

The 33-year-old turned down Hoops to stay in the top flight, and after the ‘worst season’ in his career will attempt to atone by getting Whites back to the big time.

“I’m not one to look back, and sure, QPR was an opportunity for me - but I made a decision and I stick by it,” he said.

“I signed a contract and unless anybody high up tells me different, I’m here and I’ll try my hardest to push the club in the right direction.

“When a club gets relegated, there are a lot of changes, and it’s in the back of the mind the call will come that the club are looking to move you on, but that hasn’t been the case here.”

Instead, Parker and manager Felix Magath have discussed the midfielder’s new unofficial role as mentor to a young squad.

Fulham are priced 10-1 with some bookies for promotion, and although Parker uses the word ‘overhaul’ to describe close season activity, it’s a bit like calling a trip on the Titanic eventful.

In fact, forward Hugo Rodallega could be last man standing from an 18-man squad that won 1-0 at Sunderland on opening day 2013 when Fulham line up at Portman Road.

From Sunderland it was downhill on greased skates to relegation and a hefty rebuild that could see 30 changes by the end of August.

“There’s a lot of kids, and I’m there to help them and pass on my experience. There are six or so who have never played much more than youth football, but it’s up to them to grab the chance,” Parker added.

“When the season ended initially everybody was very disappointed, but practically it’s a brand new squad and there are probably a lot of players not carrying the scars over from last year.”

Parker insists the club shouldn’t be in this plight, but three different managers was the determining factor in a torrid campaign, he reckons.

Martin Jol, followed by Rene Meulensteen, and then Felix Magath tumbling through the revolving door did nothing for morale despite depth on offer.

"I left Tottenham and a year down the line I never envisaged I would be playing in the Championship,” Parker said.

“I agree that with the squad we had: the Taarabts, the Berbatovs, Hangelands, Duffs and Sidwells – we had massive experience and very good footballers.

“But when you’re involved in a relegation battle, things affect people in different ways. When you’re down, there are stresses, and without wanting to go on too much, when a new manager comes in he brings a new playing style, philosophy and coaches and new structures. To adapt to that as quickly as possible is sometimes very difficult.”

Scummy water under a distant bridge, Parker hopes with Ipswich first up.

“They've got a nice ground, a good manager and a well-organised team, and it’s a tough start, and with Millwall at home as well next week. But we hope to get a good start and snowball from there,” he added.