R's left-back Chris Barker is looking forward to the trip to Layer Road tonight - although he insists old friendships will be put on hold for 90 minutes!

Barker spent eight months on loan with the U's last season and while he's looking forward to meeting up with a few familiar faces this evening, any talk of a reunion will be put on the back-burner until after the final whistle.

"There's a job to be done for QPR tonight," Barker told www.qpr.co.uk.

"I'll always be grateful to Colchester United for giving me a new lease of life last season, but I'm a Rangers player now and the focus is very much on getting our first victory of the campaign at Layer Road."

By his own admission, Barker has struggled since his free transfer switch from Cardiff City in the summer, but he's determined to put that right - starting tonight.

"I've let myself and the fans down with my performances since I joined the Club," he said.

"I've not been happy with my form at all. It's just one of those things that all professionals go through during their career, but I'm working my socks off to put it right and I'm confident I'll be back to my best soon."

Barker and new Caretaker Manager Mick Harford worked together at Layer Road last season and although the 27 year-old was surprised with the departure of John Gregory on Monday morning, he is determined to do everything he can to ensure 'Big Mick' gets off to a perfect start in his new role.

"I feel as though I let John Gregory down to be honest. He signed me in the summer and I didn't produce the goods for him," Barker told www.qpr.co.uk.

"Mick is a very good coach though and now I owe it to him to produce the goods.

"Mick is similar to John in that he is a terrific coach, very talkative and he always looks out for his players.

"As a group of players, we owe it to the pair of them and the supporters to win tonight."