Richard Kone scored the EFL’s fastest ever hat-trick before Jimmy Dunne added a brace to send shockwaves through the Championship and propel the R’s to eighth in the table.

But they now face another high-flying opponent in Southampton, who sit sixth after a hugely impressive 3-2 victory at West Ham United.

A win on the south coast will be a true assertion of QPR's promotion credentials and Stéphan knows his side will need to be at their best to return with a point or three.

Stéphan said: “We are outsiders for this game for sure, but it doesn't mean that we have to prepare this game without ambition. If we want to get a good result we need to have some ambition, but we know the quality of the opponent.

“I think I'm lucky because we have some clever players and they know exactly what the competition is and we don't have time to stay too much on the last one. Otherwise, we will struggle a lot for the next one.

“Of course, everyone was happy after the Swansea game. I think it was important to enjoy the moment collectively during one day or two days, but now this is a moment to switch completely and to start to be focused on Southampton.”

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The Saints were expelled from their play-off semi-final last season after spying on opponents Middlesbrough but are capable of some of the league’s best football under Tonda Eckert.

They sit sixth despite a four-point deduction for last season's incognito infractions and have lost just twice so far in the Championship.

Stéphan said: “My players know that we will face probably the best team of the league along with Middlesbrough, and the team who won against West Ham away from home.

“Most of the players know exactly what it means to play at the top of the table and to have the consistency to play at the top of the table. They have a lot of depth in their squad. Very good players in all positions.

“This is a top team, strong defensively, able to score a lot of goals. And they arrive with full confidence now for this game. It will be interesting to see how we are able to compete against them.”