Queens Park Rangers head into their Premier League game with Southampton on Saturday without a manager following the sudden resignation of Harry Redknapp.
The 67-year-old has explained his post deadline-day departure by his need for knee surgery, rather than disappointing transfer business or their position in the table.
Chris Ramsey and Kevin Bond are in caretaker charge this weekend while the search for a permanent solution is conducted.
Tim Sherwood is the favourite to replace Redknapp and the setup at Loftus Road does seem to have been tailor-made for the former Spurs boss.
Glenn Hoddle and Joe Jordan have left the club, while Ramsey and new director of football Les Ferdinand, who both worked closely with Sherwood during his time at White Hart Lane, remain in prominent positions.
Real Madrid assistant Paul Clement and Derby County's Steve McClaren have also been linked with the vacancy, and whoever takes it on will have a huge task on their hands to guide Rangers to safety.
The Hoops are in the relegation zone, winless in six games and without an away point all season, although at least Ramsey and Bond will have the comfort of home surroundings for their day in the dugout.
Champions League hopefuls Southampton nevertheless present daunting opposition, especially as they have won their last three away games and will be looking to bounce back from consecutive home defeats this week.
Ronald Koeman's resources have been stretched by injuries and international duty recently, but the Dutchman suddenly has some selection dilemmas to ponder.
Midfield pair Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama are back from injury, Sadio Mane and Maya Yoshida have returned from excursions with their respective countries and new loan signing Filip Djuricic is also in contention.
While they have been sidelined, Eljero Elia and Florin Gardos have made an impact at either end of the pitch and academy graduate James Ward-Prowse has earned himself a new long-term contract with his performances.
Southampton's other piece of deadline-day business was securing the services of Ryan Bertrand on a permanent basis, but the left-back is unavailable after being sent off in the 1-0 home defeat by Swansea City last weekend.
Youngster Matt Targett should be given another show of faith by deputising for him in defence. Toby Alderweireld and Sam Gallagher are nearing full fitness, but Jay Rodriguez is still a way away from a possible comeback.
Rangers too hope to welcome back one of their key players in the coming weeks as Sandro steps up his recovery from a knee ligament injury that has kept him out of action since November.
In the meantime, Karl Henry will continue in midfield in what could be a similar team to the one which succumbed to a Jonathan Walters hat-trick in the 3-1 defeat at Stoke City - Redknapp's last match in charge.
Bobby Zamora may be restored up front to partner Charlie Austin, with Britannia Stadium goalscorer Niko Kranjcar getting the chop. Steven Caulker is also in line for a recall as QPR aim to push young talent.
Graziano Pelle scored a spectacular winner as Southampton won the reverse fixture 1-0 in September.
QPR:
Form in Premier League: LDDLLL
Form in all competitions: DDLLLL
Possible starting lineup: Green; Isla, Onuoha, Caulker, Hill; Vargas, Henry, Barton, Fer; Zamora, Austin
Southampton:
Form in Premier League: WDWWWL
Form in all competitions: DWWWLL
Possible starting lineup: Forster; Clyne, Yoshida, Fonte, Targett; Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Davis; Ward-Prowse, Elia, Pelle
Sports Mole says: 0-2
Joe Fish
