Bluebirds chief plays down top of table battle

Second-placed Cardiff travel to London to meet a Rangers side still unbeaten and two points clear at the top but with the Bluebirds aiming to reclaim top spot with victory.

Both Jones and opposite number Neil Warnock are enthused by the encounter but played down the importance of the outcome.

Jones said: "QPR have good players and to be unbeaten at this stage they must be doing something right.

"We'll have a tough physical battle at Loftus Road as we always do. They are a physical side and they'll be pulling out all the stops to take the points from us. We'll have to go there and earn a result.

"We've had 18 other 'biggest games of the season' but if that's what people want to bill first against second as being then okay.

"If we get the points then we go back top, if they do then they extend the gap, it's as simple as that.

"Saturday's game will have a bearing on the season of course, but whether we win, lose or draw, it won't define things."

Warnock, meanwhile, is simply excited about what should be an entertaining encounter.

"It's a great game to look forward to," he said.

"We're two good teams and it promises to be a great game.

"They've probably got a better forward line than us at the moment, but we're a hard-working team and we've got players of real quality.

"We've both got a good squad here and it's a great opportunity for us both to show what the Championship is all about.

"I'm sure there'll be a fantastic atmosphere and I'm really looking forward to it now."

Tomorrow sees the derby between Norwich City and Ipswich Town while east Midlands rivals Leicester City and Nottingham Forest meet on Monday evening.