Matt Ingram has had to be patient but admits he cannot wait to walk out at Loftus Road as Queens Park Rangers’ number one on Saturday.

The 24-year-old signed with the R’s in January 2016 from Wycombe Wanderers when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was in charge of the club.

But he has impressed new boss Steve McClaren in pre-season to earn the No.1 shirt ahead of fellow young stopper Joe Lumley.

“I am massively looking forward to this weekend,” Ingram said. “Wearing the number one shirt at Loftus Road will be very special.

“The fans have always been great towards me so I can’t wait for the game.”

Rangers were beaten 1-0 by Preston in their opening fixture of the new season and face winless Sheffield United at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The Blades have endured a tricky start to the new campaign having been beaten at home by Swansea last weekend before suffering a 3-0 midweek defeat to Middlesbrough.

READ MORE: McClaren confident QPR will improve after opening day loss

And Ingram suspects there will be little between the two sides when the action gets underway in the R’s first home game of the 2018/19 season.

“I am expecting quite an open game,” Ingram added. “It’s about who can get a grip of the game first and I can see it being quite a fast-paced match to start with.

“They came close last season and they will be looking to do that again I’m sure. But you can look right through the Championship and there are so many strong teams in the division.

“It’s a massive league now when you look at the teams in it and the players in it – there are no easy games and we want to make sure we get off to the best possible start at Loftus Road.”

And the importance of picking up three points to kick off their home campaign is not lost on manager Steve McClaren ahead of the visit of the Blades.

READ MORE: Bright lights up QPR's Championship preparations

“We have to make sure that we perform at home and get results. This has always been a difficult place for opponents to come and we have to continue that,” he added.

“The crowd are very important at Loftus Road.

“I know that as an opponent here, I know already after the three months here and the support and the atmosphere they created at the play-offs that season.”