Christoph Zimmermann is wary of a QPR backlash with the managerless Rs looking to dent Norwich City’s Championship promotion charge.

Steve McClaren’s former assistant, John Eustace, was placed in caretaker charge earlier this week after the ex-England boss was dismissed following a run of one win in 15 games.

City bid for an eighth consecutive victory - after opening up a five point gap on the chasing pack - but captain Zimmermann is wary of any hint of complacency at Carrow Road.

“This is definitely a harder game now because you know they will be switched on and awake,” he said.

“Probably some new players come in and they will be desperate to put on a good performance and show whoever the new manager is going to be they want to be part of it next season.

“Of course we are excited and looking forward to the challenge.

“We know there is something to win for us this season, rather than something to lose, like when you are near the bottom. Everyone can read the table now. We can’t deny it or hide it.

“We were probably not promotion contenders but when you come this far then you have to change the approach. But we still can’t look too far ahead. There are seven games. QPR will be complicated.

“For me personally and the feeling around the training ground it feels like we are enjoying this situation. I don’t sense any extra pressure. I hope the rest of the boys feel the same.

“We have created a positive situation and if we keep enjoying it and performing as we have then we’ll get what we want.”

Zimmermann admitted donning the captain’s armband appears to have raised his own performance level, after forging a solid centre back pairing with England Under-20 international Ben Godfrey.

“If you look at the whole back four I am the senior partner, which makes me feel quite old. That is very strange,” he said. “The partnership with Ben is great. We get along very well. We probably know we are not the most talented or gifted so we have to add something else to our game to be competitive.

“It is great to have a partner like him who is willing to fight and put his body on the line. It has been working pretty well.

“We know the circumstances why I am lucky enough to wear the armband. Grant (Hanley), Timm (Klose) and Alex (Tettey) have all worn the armband and they have been unlucky with some injuries.

“I am happy and proud to be given the armband. Birmingham was the first game and we have done well and I have done okay.

“Maybe it has made me feel more comfortable and it certainly has improved rather than made my game worse.”