QPR frontman Tommy Smith says the team are indifferent about their chance to equal a club record against Watford on Friday night.

If Rangers avoid defeat in their televised derby clash, they will enter the history books with the best unbeaten league run in the club’s existence, alongside the 1966-67 Division Three champions.

But Smith, who lines up against the Hornets for the first time since he left them to join Portsmouth 15 months ago, regards that landmark as fairly trivial – the time for making history, he feels, is later in the season.

“I don’t think we’re overly fussed about breaking records during the course of the season – it’s not something you look to or aspire to,” the 30-year-old forward told the Times.

“If we can go into Christmas still unbeaten, that’d be a huge step for us towards the main goal, which is promotion – that’s all we’re thinking about.

“Yes, we could break the record, but that’s not going to guarantee us even a play-off spot. There’s such a long way to go and the only record that’s important is being in the top two come May.”

Rangers had hoped to equal the 20-game unbeaten record set by Alec Stock’s side – and equalled by Gordon Jago’s 1972 team over two separate seasons – last weekend, but the postponement of their fixture at Hull due to safety reasons left them still one short.

Yet the Rs remain in a strong position at the top of the Championship, with closest challengers Cardiff failing to take advantage of the weather elsewhere as they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Preston.

Victory over Watford would afford Rangers even more breathing space – and Smith admits he will have mixed feelings should he score the winning goal against the club where he spent a total of nine years in two separate spells.

“Watford’s the club I grew up at and there are a lot of fond memories,” he said. “It’s a bit of a double-edged sword but I’m a QPR player now and I’m looking forward to the game.

“It’d be nice to score again but the important thing is to continue the form we’re in.

“When you’re winning you just want the games to keep coming and it’s frustrating to have one called off.

“But there’s nothing you can do about it other than prepare properly for the next one.

“Cardiff picked up one point and Swansea got three, so we want to keep a bit of daylight between ourselves and them.

“Watford had a great start to the season – they’re doing better than a lot of people expected. I know [Watford manager] Malky Mackay very well and I know what he’s about.

“Financially he’s worked miracles to put together the kind of team he has. We’ll have to match them, try to stamp our authority on the game and, if we keep doing what we’ve been doing, we should be all right.”

Friday’s match is being screened live on BBC2, kick-off 7.45pm.