MARK HUGHES

Former Wales and Manchester City boss Hughes' name immediately surfaced upon Warnock's sacking. The Welshman is available having left Fulham in the summer and his stock in the game remains high following his achievements in previous positions.

RAFAEL BENITEZ

Former Liverpool boss Benitez has made no secret of his desire to return to the Premier League and has been out of work since an unsuccessful spell with Inter Milan ended just over a year ago. Perhaps importantly, though, the Spaniard has not experienced a relegation battle for over a decade.

GIANFRANCO ZOLA

Former West Ham boss Zola has long-standing professional links with London and the Italian was considered unfortunate to lose his job at Upton Park in 2010. His footballing ethos would appeal to the QPR supporters and hierarchy but he remains something of an unknown quantity in terms of management.

RAY WILKINS

The former Rs player and manager also has experience managing and coaching with the likes of Millwall, Chelsea and Fulham. However, his last role as a full-time, permanent manager was with the Cottagers back in 1997-98 and he is currently engaged in work as a television pundit.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON

The former England boss usually crops up in bookmakers' lists and is bound to be linked with this post too. However, following his unsuccessful spell at Leicester, the Swede must be regarded as an outsider.

STEVE BRUCE

Out of work since leaving Sunderland recently, the former Manchester United centre-half still has a decent reputation in the game and the prospect of big money to spend at Loftus Road would surely appeal.