Football League Confirms Embargo on QPR is Lifted...Gregory on Players and Prospects

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - League OK Rangers' new faces

THE Football League have confirmed that QPR WILL be allowed to field their new signings in this weekend's Championship opener at Bristol City.

Rangers could have been forced to leave out goalkeeper Lee Camp and loan signings Michael Mancienne and Ben Sahar, if they had failed to pay back their £500,000 loan from Oldham chairman Simon Blitz.

But Football League spokesman John Nagle said: "The monies have now been repaid and there is no longer a transfer embargo on the club."
Once the League were satisfied that the loan had been fully repaid, they permitted Rangers to complete their registrations of Camp, Mancienne and Sahar in time for Saturday's trip to Ashton Gate.

Midfielder Simon Walton would also have been eligible, but the broken leg he suffered against Fulham last week will delay his Hoops debut for several months.

Stefan Bailey is likely to deputise against the Robins, but Rs manager John Gregory plans to enter the loan market in an attempt to fill the void left by Walton's injury.
"We'd earmarked Simon to play in that central midfield role, he's a solid, dependable player and person, and now we're going to be without him, so we'll have to make one or two adjustments," said Gregory.
"That may mean we need to try and bring one more in, even though there's no money left. But we'll definitely be ready and hopefully we can do better than last year."
As well as Walton, Gregory will have to do without defensive duo Chris Barker and Sami Timoska, who are serving suspensions from last season, and winger Gareth Ainsworth, yet to recover from a broken leg.
Danny Cullip is also doubtful after missing Rangers' recent friendlies with an ankle problem, although he did play in their 1-0 training ground defeat at Reading on Tuesday.
Mancienne is likely to partner Damion Stewart in central defence, with Sahar the favourite to start up front with Dexter Blackstock following his two-goal performance against Fulham.
While supporters' expectations were raised by that victory over their near neighbours, Gregory is keen to downplay suggestions that his team could challenge for the top six this season.
He said: "We've come a long way, but we've got a long way to go yet - there are a lot of teams better than us in this division, but the one thing you'll get off this bunch of lads is total commitment to the job of wearing that blue and white shirt.
"Hopefully we can get off to a good start. If we do, it's great, if we don't, then we have to put it right."
Left-sided midfielder James Simmonds, who has been on trial at Loftus Road during pre-season, may also feature at Ashton Gate as Rangers consider his future.
The 19-year-old former England youth international who came through Chelsea's youth team and ended last season on loan at Cardiff City, is available on a free transfer.
Gregory added: "He's going to continue with us over the next couple of weeks and then we'll get the opportunity of possibly taking him on full-time."
Meanwhile, midfielder Nick Ward has been on trial this week with Italian Serie B club Brescia and will be allowed to leave QPR if he is offered a deal there. Kilburn Times