Dowie on Rowlands Staying (as Captain) and Injury Update

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QPR Official Site - Dowie on RowlandsROWLANDS REMAINS SKIPPER

Iain Dowie has revealed midfield maestro Martin Rowlands will skipper Queens Park Rangers Football Club in the forthcoming 2008/09 campaign.

The 29 year-old revelled in the role last season - and Dowie firmly belives he is the right man to skipper Rangers into the new era at Loftus Road.

"I'm delighted to have a player of Martin's character and ability at the Club and he will skipper the side again next season," Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk.

"He's a hugely important player for us. He shares the same ambitions for the Club as I do and he's really looking forward to the new campaign."

Dowie was also keen to set the record straight regarding speculation linking Rowlands with a move away from W12, commenting: "Martin loves the place and hasn't got any interest in moving elsewhere.

"It's flattering that other Clubs are interested in our players, but he's going nowhere."

The Republic of Ireland international - who will miss the R's opening three fixtures of the new campaign, owing to the red card he received against West Bromwich Albion on the final day of last season - returned to full training earlier this week following a recent ankle ligament injury.

Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk: "Martin (ankle) is training, as is Fitz Hall (back), and they're two great characters to have about the camp.

"Fitz is very laid back, whereas Martin is a bit more in your face - they're both very experienced professionals, so it's great to have the pair of them back in the mix."

Rowlands made 46 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring seven goals. He was also named Player's Player and Supporter's Player of the Year.
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QPR Official Site - Injury Update TALKING WOUNDED

Akos Buzsaky is still on track for a September return, after having his air-cast boot removed earlier this week.

The Magical Magyar sustained an ankle injury in the latter stages of last season, but the news coming out of the Treatment Room is very positive.

"Akos has a follow up consultation with his specialist on Tuesday and they're really, really happy with the progress he is making," Head Physio Paul Hunter told www.qpr.co.uk.

"He's out of his air-cast boot and he's now starting strength work on his ankle.

"He'll go with the First Team to the Bath training camp next week, where he'll do a week of running in the water.

"We're still looking at the start of September, but we're really happy with his rehabilitation to date."

Fellow midfielder Martin Rowlands, who was named QPR Captain by boss Iain Dowie yesterday, is also making a speedy recovery from the ankle injury that led to him being withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad in May.

"Rowly is back in full training with the First Team," said Hunter.

"He's been training since the start of the week and his ankle appears to be fine.

"He's suspended for the first three fixtures of the season, so we can ease him in gradually. His fitness levels are very good, so we've not got any issues there."

Broken leg victim Rowan Vine is pencilled in for his latest X-Ray tomorrow (Friday) and Hunter added: "Rowan has got another X-Ray tomorrow and we should know more in terms of how we can progress with him after the results of that check-up.

"He can run comfortably for 20 minutes or so at the moment and he's doing extensive ball work, so he's still on track for October."
QPR