West Brom buoyed by weekend win over Norwich, says Zoltan Gera

Zoltan Gera hopes West Brom can reap the benefits of being in a more relaxed frame of mind after ending their mini slump when they visit QPR on Boxing Day.

Midfielder Gera scored Albion's opening goal in their 2-1 weekend home win over Norwich - their first in five games after climbing at one stage to third spot in the Barclays Premier League.

The Hungary international knows questions were starting to be asked of Steve Clarke's side but is hopeful they can now regain momentum and sustain a push for a top-six spot.

Gera said: "We lost three games in a row, then drew against West Ham, and finally we've won.

"If you're losing games or drawing then people will ask questions, but that's normal.

"In every team, every single side, there will be frustrating times. Hopefully that's in the past now.

"Maybe we can relax a bit now - and maybe we can win more games.

"We have lost to good teams in recent weeks but we feel much better after winning. We have 30 points and we just want to win more games."

Gera, who netted his fourth goal of the campaign against Norwich, added: "Is the top six a realistic target? You never know, it's very tight in the top 10.

"If we can finish higher than last season (10th) then everyone will be happier."

Gera knows the importance of Albion matching relegation-threatened QPR's desire to win.

He said: "It's not easy, especially against a side fighting relegation. QPR will be desperate to win against us.

"I think they're looking for the next game and will think they can beat us. We have to make sure they don't want to win more than us. That's the key.

"We have to build on what we have done against Norwich.

"Harry Redknapp is a very experienced manager. He did a great job at Spurs and Portsmouth.

"But they're in a difficult period and we have to look after ourselves."

Gera is hoping on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku will stay at the Hawthorns for the remainder of the campaign.

Lukaku scored the winner against Norwich - his sixth goal of the season - but Chelsea have the option to recall him during January.

Gera said: "I don't know what's gong on behind the scenes, but we're happy and I think he'll stay.

"I hope he'll stay. He scored a very important goal against Norwich but he's scored others as well.

"It was good for us to bring Lukaku here and it was a case of one chance, one goal.

"Upfront we have two very good players in Shane Long and Lukaku and if they get just one chance they have to score. That makes a difference."

Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is available after suspension for the QPR clash. The DR Congo international was unavailable for the Norwich game after incurring five bookings this season.

Manager Clarke will check on the fitness of right-back Steven Reid (ankle) and midfielder Claudio Yacob (hamstring) before finalising his side.

PA