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QPR to increase security for Chelsea visit

QPR do not want trouble in the stands when Chelsea return © Getty Images

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QPR will increase security measures - including a greater police presence - for Chelsea's FA Cup fourth round visit to Loftus Road this month, as they fear heightened tensions on John Terry's return to the ground.

The second west London derby of the season was only confirmed on Tuesday, after QPR beat MK Dons in a third round replay to progress to the next round. The first encounter, in the Premier League in October, saw John Terry accused of racially insulting Anton Ferdinand during a controversial encounter, and there are fears that the fall-out from that incident will lead to problems in the stands when the two sides meet again.

With Terry - who denies any wrongdoing - due to appear in court four days after the match after being charged with committing a racially aggravated public order offence during the altercation with Ferdinand, QPR will go to extra lengths to ensure there is no further controversy.

"As with every other fixture we host at Loftus Road, all procedures are pre-planned with the emergency services and local authorities, and this will be no different for the visit of Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round," a QPR spokesman said. "Our priority is always to ensure the safety and enjoyment of both sets of supporters, and stewarding, security and policing numbers will reflect that.

"As a club, we are looking forward to what promises to be a mouth-watering west-London derby."

Ferdinand is likely to play in the game after getting the nod from Mark Hughes in his first Premier League match as manager against Newcastle United, and team-mate Danny Gabbidon backed him to cope with the occasion without any problems.

"We try to move on, that's what happens in football. There's always another game and you focus on that," Gabbidon told The Guardian. "It can be tough when everyone is talking about it, and your family is getting threats from people. It's not nice. But he's level-headed and he will just go out there and let his football do the talking."

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