Andy Dawson admits he's waiting for an opportunity to reclaim his place in the Tigers' starting line-up.

The left back has watched the last three games from the bench and looks set to continue that pattern at Queens Park Rangers this weekend, but he believes he can have no complaints because of the way the side has played recently.

"The lads have been playing consistently well," said Dawson.

"My role recently has been to try and encourage the lads from the side and support them.

"When my chance comes I'll have to take it. But for the time being, the lads are playing really well and that is fantastic for the club and everybody involved."

With new QPR manager Luigi De Canio set to take charge of his side for the first time, Dawson expects the Loftus Road outfit to be in good spirits despite sitting in 23rd place in the table.

"I'm sure there'll be a good atmosphere at the ground because a lot of new people have come into the club. Their fans will have peak-high expectations.

"We played them last season just after they had appointed a new manager and we lost, so we know what to expect.

"We have to go there, be positive and carry on what we've been doing recently.

"After the last couple of games, confidence is high. We've asked for consistency all season and it's starting to come now.

"The lads that are playing are putting in performances week in, week out and that is what we want.

"If we do play consistently well we know we'll pick up points because we're a good footballing side."

Dawson's main source of action in the last couple of weeks has been in the reserves along with the likes of Stuart Elliott, Nathan Doyle and Stephen McPhee.

"That shows our strength in depth," he added.

"We've got a fantastic squad here with some very good players.

"I played in the reserves the other day and we had a really strong team out. For the players that aren't playing in the first team it's nice to keep things ticking over.

"It helps keep the fitness high so that when you are called upon, you're ready to go."