QPR will be in the market for some reinforcements this month as they look to build on their impressive form of late.
Having endured a dismal start to the season, improved performances and some inspired home form has lifted Marti Cifuentes’ side to 13th in the Championship table. Last time out, they defeated strugglers Luton Town 2-1 at Loftus Road.
Nevertheless, Cifuentes and the Rs won’t want to rest on their laurels. Some solid winter business could really help them consolidate their place in mid-table, but while senior signings will be the priority, the club regularly have their eyes on upcoming prospects too.
Now, it is claimed QPR have lodged a bid for a new starlet in the form of Australian talent Thomas Waddingham.
Reporting for Australian news outlet Code Sports, journalist Marco Monteverde states the Hoops have lodged a bid for the Brisbane Roar striker, who looks set to leave the struggling A-League club.
They’re not the only ones keen though with Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth said to be eyeing Waddingham as well.
The 19-year-old, who is expected to have played his last game for the club already, was also linked with Middlesbrough last month.
While still only 19, Waddingham has already made a bit of a name for himself in Australia, so it’s not much of a surprise to see interest from English clubs like QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth.
Four goals and an assist in 11 games this season marks a respectable return considering the youngster is playing for a side yet to win in the A-League.
It takes him to 15 goals and two assists in 40 games for the Roar overall having worked his way through their youth ranks.
If a move to England does beckon, he’ll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Aussie stars such as Mark Viduka and Tim Cahill in forging a successful career on these shores.
For QPR, the focus is balanced between recruitment work and maintaining their strong form this month.
Signings could be the difference between slipping back towards the lower reaches of the table and potentially pushing on from mid-table, so Cifuentes and co will be eager to make the most of the opportunity to strengthen.
They’ll be eager to maintain their improved form of late too though. A tough test awaits this weekend in the FA Cup as the Rs travel to Premier League side Leicester City before back-to-back away games in the Championship.
The final game of January sees them return to Loftus Road for the first time in three games against Sheffield Wednesday on the 25th.
