Hughes: QPR future still bright

The west Londoners teeter dangerously over the precipice heading into Sunday's final Barclays Premier League game of the season against a Manchester City side on the cusp of a first league title since 1968.

Defeat could see QPR make an immediate return to the npower Championship - a point will secure their status - but Hughes predicts a bright future even if that scenario comes to fruition.

"It is a huge game," the former City boss said. "In the whole context of QPR, I think if we don't stay in the Premier League what is in place will still continue and still happen.

"What we want to happen is obviously stay in the Premier League so that process is accelerated and we can really go on with building this club to where we want it to be in the future.

"That is the exciting part and that is why I came here. We don't want the setback of relegation.

"In fairness, it will set us back because 12 months or whatever would be hard for us, but it wouldn't stop what is happening here.

"There is a real will to make sure that Queens Park Rangers are a really strong, competitive team in the Premier League for many years to come."

Hughes has never managed in the second tier before and, given his lofty ambitions, some have suggested he could jump ship if the worst happens.

The Welshman, though, was quick to dismiss such talk.

"I didn't sign up with the intention of jumping away from the situation," he said.

"It is an exciting time for us. We all feel we're on the cusp of a real period of excitement and that is the reason I and many others signed up for it.

"That is what we feel is going to happen and, as I say, if we have take a backwards step then so be it, but it won't stop what is happening here in the future."

Hughes was also keen to clear up talk that he is in line for a £1million bonus should he steer the R's to safety.

Several newspapers have reported he will receive a hefty pay day should they retain their top-flight status, although both he and advisor Kia Joorabchian have rejected the claims.

"There is no truth in that," Hughes said. "I didn't sign for QPR on the proviso that I had a big bonus if I kept them up.

"I signed up for what we will do in the future in two or three seasons' time.

"It wasn't a period of three or fours months and then I get patted on the back for saving the club from relegation.

"I don't really think that we should be congratulated for that anyway so I wouldn't expect a bonus for that."