STEVE Cook says it is time for QPR’s players to start delivering ahead of Saturday’s vital clash at Huddersfield.
Rangers head to Yorkshire without a win in six games and sitting in the drop zone just three points behind the Terriers.
Summer addition Cook missed the 4-0 home defeat to Blackburn almost a fortnight ago after picking up an injury in the 1-0 midweek loss at Leeds.
The experienced defender is aiming to return this weekend but admits results need to quickly improve if the Hoops are to avoid another relegation scrap.
He told QPR’s YouTube channel: “It’s new for me in terms of the position in the league where we are at, so it is extremely frustrating on my side of things.
“But you are going to have periods of time in any season where results don’t go for you and then you have to lean on the players who have gone through that and come out the other side.
“We have that in this group. You would rather there be teething problems at the start of the season than at the end or midway through.”
Cook added: “We now need to kind of start backing up with what was being said at the start of the season where things will change and we will start winning.
“Now it has to be done.
“We don’t want to be left behind, we don’t want to be in this position where we are at. It’s embarrassing looking at the league at the moment and seeing that.
“The lads are hurting from it, I’m hurting and I’m sure the fans and staff are. There’s a real sense that this can’t keep going on.
“We can look at the experienced lads in the group and lean on that and try and give their experiences of past seasons but now as individuals and as a group we have to back those words up and start improving.”
Cook gave a cautious hint he should be available at Huddersfield after making the most of the recent pause in the Championship schedule.
“I’m improving,” he said.
“Obviously it is extremely frustrating from my side of things, it has kind of been stop-start fitness wise.
“This international break has been used by myself to get fitter and hopefully heal the injury I sustained and be ready for when I am 100 percent fit and I hope to contribute on the pitch.”
Cook’s potential return would be a welcome boost to manager Gareth Ainsworth, who could also choose to involve new signing Reggie Cannon for the first time after the American featured for the U21s at Bristol City.
The Loftus Road chief said: “Steve Cook is close. We are hoping that he can feature. Morgan Fox is still going to be missing for this one.
“Everyone is pressing for a start at Huddersfield.
“Reggie played his first minutes for the club in a development team game the other day at Bristol and got through that fine.
“He hasn’t played a competitive game since May I think and that has to come into the equation.
“Reggie is a great character, a really good lad and will be an asset to this club.”
