Karl Henry wants to retain his place in the QPR starting XI after striking up a partnership with Sandro in the heart of the midfield.

Henry, 31, admits playing alongside the Brazilian has been a good experience since the duo were paired together against West Ham.

He said: “I’m enjoying playing with him; he is on the same wavelength as me.

“I like to go hunting the ball and go pressing, sometimes take a gamble, and I look behind me and he is right next to me on the next guy as well.

“We’ve had three good performances. I want to play as many games as possible. Hopefully I can stay in the team and we can pick up more points.”

Henry is likely to get the nod to start against Manchester City on Saturday after Rs boss Harry Redknapp stated after the Chelsea defeat that he feels the former Wolves player gives his team an edge when partnered with Sandro.

Henry added: “The gaffer will name the team and I will get on with it, as I have since I joined QPR.

“Last season I joined on the back of playing seven years at Wolves – almost every game, to playing a bit-part last season.

“It was difficult. It’s the first time I’ve done that for a long time and it’s difficult to take – you want to play.

“Now I’ve got a chance this season and I feel I’ve taken it – and I want to continue to play and play as well as I can. I want to be a mainstay in the team.”

Henry believes the Rs’ performance against Chelsea shows they have found some form.

He said: “As a team, performance levels have upped and it’s good for us to see that we seemed to have turned a corner.

The game plan seemed to have worked up until we gave the penalty away.

That’s probably pleasing for the fans to see and pleasing for us as players.

I don’t think we will play a better team than Chelsea this season. Some of the players are frightening and at times you are chasing shadows.”

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