QPR's Taylor Richards is ready for a 'massive pre-season' at the Championship club.

The 22-year-old has endured injury problems and grief over the past two campaigns and is determined to get his career back on track.

Richards played just 10 times in 2021-22, between former club Brighton and on loan at Birmingham, and made 16 appearances for Rs last term.

But having turned his loan spell in west London into a permanent three-year deal he wants to help Gareth Ainsworth's side as much as he can in 2023-24.

"It's good to be back," he told the club website after returning to the club's new training facility late last week.

"I just want to get myself in the best possible shape so I can be ready for the season.

"My first target is to do all I can to stay injury-free and then go from there.

“The last two seasons haven’t been good for me so this is a massive pre-season.

“I know if I can stay fit and I’m in good condition, I can help the team massively. That’s my aim.”

Richards also spoke of the tragic recent loss of a best friend and how he wants to do all he can in his memory.

"It was difficult," he added.

"My best friend was always really on me to be the best version of myself. It was difficult coming to training and dealing with his loss.

“I still think about him every single day. I haven’t experienced losing someone close to me before. 

“He never had the privileges that I have but he was always on at me. He used to drop me to the matches, he would take me to training sometimes and I just hope he is ok, wherever he is.

“It doesn’t get any easier but I am so determined to do well for him. I want to give it everything I have got because time doesn’t wait for anyone.”

QPR will start the new season at home against Watford on August 5, before visiting Cardiff City a week later - after a midweek Carabao Cup first-round home tie with Norwich.

Their only London derby is at Millwall on Boxing Day, with the return on January 20, while they host relegated Southampton on December 23 and visit promoted Ipswich on December 29.

They host Birmingham on Good Friday and visit Swansea on Easter Monday, then face Hull (a), Preston (h), Leeds (h) and Coventry (a) in their run-in.

Fixtures - Aug 5 Watford (h); Aug 12 Cardiff (a); Aug 19 Ipswich (h); Aug 26: Southampton (a); Sep 2 Middlesbro (a); Sep 16 Sunderland (h); Sep 19 Swansea (h); Sep 23 Birmingham (a); Sep 30 Coventry (h); Oct 4 Leeds (a); Oct 7 Blackburn (h); Oct 21 Huddersfield (a); Oct 24 West Brom (a); Oct 28 Leicester (h); Nov 4 Rotherham (a); Nov 11 Bristol City (h); Nov 25 Norwich (a); Nov 28 Stoke (h); Dec 2 Preston (a); Dec 9 Hull (h); Dec 13 Plymouth (h); Dec 16 Sheff Wed (a); Dec 23 Southampton (h); Dec 26 Millwall (a); Dec 29 Ipswich (a); Jan 1 Cardiff (h); Jan 13 Watford (a); Jan 20 Millwall (h); Jan 27 Huddersfield (h); Feb 3 Blackburn (a); Feb 10 Norwich (h); Feb 14 Stoke (a); Feb 17 Bristol City (a); Feb 24 Rotherham (h); March 2 Leicester (a); March 6 West Brom (h); March 9 Middlesbro (h); March 16 Sunderland (a); March 29 Birmingham (h); April 1 Swansea (a); April 6 Sheff Wed (h); April 9 Plymouth (a); April 13 Hull (a); April 20 Preston (h); April 27 Leeds (h); May 4 Coventry (a). Subject to change.