Lee Cook is determined to bounce back with a bang this weekend, as the R's head to Pride Park to face Nigel Clough's Derby County side.
Cook has been sidelined with illness since the turn of the year, but having fully recovered, he is champing at the bit to kick-start his 'new career' with the R's.
"I can't wait for Saturday," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"It's been a really difficult few weeks for me since the Burnley tie. I was running on empty in that first half and really struggling with a chest cough.
"I thought I was going to be sick on the pitch, but I got through it and was hoping I'd be okay for the second half. Unfortunately, as soon as I got into the dressing room I threw up everywhere and my lips started turning purple!
"The doc said I couldn't continue and to be fair he was spot on, because it's taken me a while to recover."
Indeed, Cook missed the R's Championship fixture against Coventry City and was ruled out of our FA Cup third round replay against Burnley on Tuesday night.
"It's taken me almost two weeks to shake it off," he added.
"I was really up against it for a few days, but I'm back in full training now and feeling good."
Saturday's trip to Pride Park will be Cook's first since making his loan switch from Fulham permanent at the start of the month - and the R's fans favourite can't wait to pull on the famous Blue and White hoops now he's back where he belongs.
"It's a new start for me - a new chapter in my career if you like," he said.
"It's different when you're only on loan, because you never know if or when you're going to be called back.
"Fortunately, I was able to make the loan deal a permanent one and I can't wait for Saturday. It will be like making another debut for the Club, and that means everything to me."
Despite failing to register a victory in their last five matches in all competitions, Cook is adamant the R's are perfectly primed for a push for the play-off's during the second half of the season.
"The lads have been flying in training over the last few days," he said.
"Wayne (Routledge) looks a hell of a buy and Liam (Miller) looked very sharp in training on his first day. We've got great competition for places all over the park now with the lads the gaffer has signed.
"Paulo always said he would need time to fine tune the way he wants us to play and I think you'll start to see the changes come into fruition in the coming weeks.
"Of course, we need to get the monkey off our back with regards to our away form, but for my money we're right in the mix to mount a serious charge for the play-off's between now and the end of the season.
"There are 19 matches left and as has been has proved time and time again, anything can happen in this division. We've proved we can beat the best at home and now it's time to transfer that form to our games on the road."
