The Premier League confirmed the pre-match ritual must take place, guaranteeing an uneasy build-up to the highly-charged west London derby. It will be the first time that Anton Ferdinand and Terry, who has recovered from his ankle injury, will have met on a football pitch since the Chelsea captain's race trial in July.
Terry was found not guilty of using a racial slur against Ferdinand, following an incident in the corresponding fixture last October, but he remains the subject of a Football Association investigation over charges that he denies.
Ferdinand is expected to reject handshakes from Terry and Ashley Cole, who testified as a character witness for his England team-mate at the trial. How many players will emulate Ferdinand in a display of solidarity within QPR's squad is unknown and Hughes indicated they will make their own decision.
"We've had a discussion with the players but that's between myself and them. We don't have to broadcast that," said the QPR manager. "We'll have to wait and see (if Ferdinand shakes Terry's hand). Everybody has a mind of their own and will make a personal decision.
"It's unfortunate that they're in a situation where it's in the public domain. Anton is fine, there's no problem with him."
The rift between Ferdinand and Terry threatens to turn the handshake routine, introduced as part of the Football Association's Respect campaign, into a farce. Should several QPR players also snub Terry or Cole, or both, it could prove embarrassing for the Premier League, who made their decision 24 hours before kick-off.
A Premier League statement read: "There has been dialogue between the Premier League, Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea in relation to tomorrow's match between the two clubs.
"All parties understand and acknowledge that the pre-match handshake will go ahead as part of the normal pre-match activity."
Striker Bobby Zamora is one member of the home dressing room who will accept Terry's hand before the game. Zamora told The Sun: "I've known John Terry for years and he's a very good friend of mine. We grew up together and of course I'll shake his hand if he's playing. All this stuff happened a long time before I joined QPR."
Source: PA
Source: PA