STEVE McClaren is determined to give QPR the best chance of reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1997 when they visit Portsmouth this weekend.

The R’s boss takes his side to Fratton Park on Saturday aiming to end 22 years of hurt for QPR supporters.

McClaren is fully aware of the importance of the game and told www.qpr.co.uk: “This is a proper game, make no mistake about it.

“There will be no using the squad, tweaking this, tweaking that or resting players. There won’t be anything like that.

“We will be putting out a team which we feel can get us the result.”

QPR supporters quickly sold out the full allocation for the trip to the south-coast, meaning almost 3,000 fans will be cheering the R’s on and McClaren added: “It was interesting before the Preston game last weekend that a lot of supporters were coming up to me and saying how much they are looking forward to this one. I was saying, ‘We’ve got this afternoon first!’

“But they are clearly all buzzing about this game so we have to make sure we do our jobs.”

Kenny Jackett’s Portsmouth are currently top of League One, and McClaren admitted: “This is going to be what I call a traditional FA Cup tie.

“It’ll be a full house and they are flying in the league. I fully expect them to be in the Championship next season.

“They have a great home record and after beating Norwich in the last round from what I hear they will be expecting to win this game.

“This is going to be a really tough one for us. We will have to show immense character and courage if we are to be in the hat for the next round.”

While Rangers don’t have another league fixture until next weekend, Portsmouth visit Luton on Tuesday night, with the Hatters one point behind them in League One.

Despite that, McClaren believes Portsmouth will be doing all they can to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

“We always keep an eye on our opposition in terms of what they’re saying and what they’re doing,” he said. “We hear there is a real buzz about this game in Portsmouth.

“They feel this is a great game for them so I expect them to go at it hammer and tongs.

“We have to make sure we go there, be professional and win our duels. The key thing is to have the courage to get the ball down and play. If it becomes a fight, they are very good at that.”

David Wheeler spent the first half of this season on loan at Pompey before being recalled to QPR this week, but McClaren played down any suggestion this would give the R’s the inside track on their opposition’s plans.

“We know all about them, we have watched them often enough,” he said. “They are a good team, especially at home. And as Norwich found out, we will have to make sure we are on it if we’re to be in the hat come 5:00 pm on Saturday.”

Ebere Eze has a slight knock but it is hoped he will be available for selection this weekend. Angel Rangel (thigh), Geoff Cameron (ankle) and Tomer Hemed (hernia) remain out, while Mass Luongo is still unavailable owing to his commitments with Australia in the Asia Cup.