The 37-year-old began the season behind Paddy Kenny and Brian Murphy in the Loftus Road pecking order, but injuries to the pair have seen Cerny get a surprise run of matches. He has played in the last three Premier League games and has excelled between the sticks, especially in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool. Warnock is delighted with how the former Tottenham man has handled himself. "I'm really pleased for Radek," he said. "He is a bit like Heidar [Helguson]. "I fought very hard last year to get both of them another contract with the previous owners, and Radek has definitely surpassed my expectations since he came into the team. "It is difficult when you are third choice and you're not even playing in the reserves. "He has had a long-standing problem with his hip, but he has always trained and I never see him without a smile on his face. "He is one of those people that, when you are struggling a bit, he cheers you up. "There has been one or two like that at each club I have been at and Radek is infectious. "To come in like he has, I think has gained him the respect of all the new lads that don't know him." Cerny will start his fourth successive match against Manchester United on Sunday, and Warnock insists the stature of the opponents will not faze the Czech goalkeeper. "He is such a credit to his profession really in the way he trains and conducts himself," he said. "I don't think it is any coincidence that Paddy Kenny has thrived [since working with] Radek. "To come in like he has done, I don't think it is just his performances [that have impressed]. He is loving every minute of it and nothing fazes him, so it is not as if he is nervous. "I asked him if he was nervous at Anfield and he said: 'no'. I said: 'well I am, I am so-and-soing myself'. "He took it in is stride, but obviously I was disappointed with the result. "They were better than us on the day but, having said that, just one mistake cost us." As well as suffering a defeat at Anfield, QPR also saw Anton Ferdinand limp off with a hamstring injury that will rule him out of Sunday's clash. The Rs, though, can welcome defenders Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly back to the fold, as well as summer signing DJ Campbell. "I think most of them are okay aside from the long-term ones and Anton," Warnock added of his squad. "DJ is training again today. We thought he had a little relapse the other day in the reserve game, but he has had another scan and he is happy again. "He is just a bit sore, although I think he is planning to join in today. "Connolly joined in for most of the game against Spurs and Fitz Hall played the first half, so they both come into the reckoning." Manchester United have injury problems of their own, including long-term absentees Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher. Warnock, though, would much rather be in Sir Alex Ferguson's shoes heading into Sunday's match. "I think we probably have more problems in our squad [than them]," he said "We don't have the under-21s they can bring in outside their 25-man squad. "You see the players they have got out, but when you see their teamsheet on Sunday it will be fantastic. "I wish I had their problems."
