Dowie Would Like a Striker But Doesn't Much Expect to Get One...Explains QPR's Wage Structure

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Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Dowie doesn't expect striking changes
IAIN Dowie admits he needs to sign a striker - but has low expectations of doing so before the transfer window closes on Monday.
With Patrick Agyemang sidelined by a groin problem and Rowan Vine still some weeks away from returning, Dexter Blackstock - who missed Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Carlisle with 'flu - is QPR's only available senior forward.
And since Les Ferdinand left Loftus Road 13 years ago, only one Rangers player - Andy Thomson - has managed to surmount the 20-goal barrier in a season.
"There are a lot of teams that succeed by spreading the goals around, but if you haven't got a 20-goal striker, you need four players to be getting in double figures," said the QPR boss.
"Akos [Buzsaky] got that last year, Rowly can get a few goals and so can Cookie and [Emmanuel] Ledesma. But we want one of our strikers to end up with 20 goals this year, that's the ideal scenario.
"There's no question that it's the one area where we feel we're a little bit light, but it has to be the right one who pops up - someone who's better than what we've got and that's not easy.
"Clearly as we get to the end of the window, some of the Premier League clubs will be looking to loan out players and we'll see how that situation manifests itself.
"Maybe if the right one becomes available, we'll do something."
Dowie has also stressed that, contrary to public perception, QPR do not have a blank chequebook when it comes to transfer fees and players' wages.
Seasoned goalscorer Kevin Phillips, for instance, was available during the close season on a free transfer, but was snapped up by Birmingham City and is already spearheading their push for a Premier League return.
"Kevin's a very good player, but there's a certain structure in terms of wages and because Birmingham have the parachute payments, they can fund a two-year deal," Dowie observed.
"Our wage structure's fairly sensible and that's the proper way to do it, but a team like Birmingham have got that guaranteed payment and they can take a punt on it. It was probably a bit outside our remit."
The Rs manager revealed that he is also on the lookout for a youngster to provide back-up for Damien Delaney at left-back after allowing Chris Barker to leave for Plymouth last month.
But that is some way down Dowie's list of priorities - and, for now, he would prefer to move players out of position or even change formation if Delaney were ruled out by injury or suspension.
"We wouldn't mind an opportunity to look at a young left-back and if a good one comes up, great," added Dowie.
"Matt Connolly can play over on the other side of defence and I've played Mikele Leigertwood there before. Mikele loves to play midfield but if you have to, that's what you do.
"And don't forget, if you've got enough centre-halves, you can always change your system. I think there's enough in the squad to cover." Kilburn Times