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28 March 2024

QPR boss ready to splash cash in transfer market

Chris Samba (left) of Blackburn Rovers is a target of QPR. (FILE)

Published
By AFP

QPR manager Mark Hughes admits he is planning a series of signings during the January transfer window as he tries to lift his struggling side out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Hughes got a first glimpse of his new team's problems during their 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday, as sloppy finishing and careless defending allowed the Magpies to steal the points.

QPR are languishing in the bottom three after nine games without a win and Hughes has already been linked with a host of players, including Chelsea defender Alex, Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba and Sao Paulo striker Henrique.

Former Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Wales boss Hughes confirmed he is searching the market for players who can improve his squad.

"It's fair to say we are in the market for good players if they become available and if they are attainable," he said after Leon Best's first-half goal condemned QPR to defeat on Sunday.

"We would like to think the players we are able to bring in would be the right quality, and I am sure they would be."

Asked about Samba, Hughes added: "It's common knowledge we've put in a bid for Chris Samba. We have a number of players we would like to bring to the club. We'll have to wait and see."

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hopeful key midfielder Yohan Cabaye did not suffer any lasting damage after finding himself on the wrong end of an X-rated tackle.

The Frenchman left the pitch on a stretcher after being felled by QPR midfielder Shaun Derry's 20th-minute challenge.

Cabaye reacted furiously, although Pardew, who later revealed the injury did not seem as bad as was first feared, admitted that referee Chris Foy had probably got it right in only producing a yellow card.

"It was a strong challenge, but Shaun Derry is a player who makes strong challenges. The referee was right on top of it," Pardew said.

"I thought it was borderline yellow or red, but I think probably it was a yellow. He seemed to get the ball.

"There is always controversy about tackling. It's very, very difficult for referees, so I am not going to sit here and criticise that decision.

"But Yohan was upset. He felt it was probably a little bit over-exuberant, but the doc thinks he is going to be okay."

Hughes agreed with Pardew's verdict but refused to be drawn on the current debate about two-footed tackles, which saw Foy criticised in some quarters for sending off Manchester City's Vincent Kompany in the recent derby against Manchester United.

"At the time, I thought it was a whole-hearted challenge," Hughes said.

"Obviously, there's quite a debate at the moment in terms of the interpretation of challenges such as that, but whether or not the referee got that one wrong, I can't comment, really."