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Monday, October 27, 2008

Chopra for QPR?...Ainsworth for QPR?...Vine on Dowie Sacking

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Dave McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - Chopra is latest target

QPR are this week hoping to capture Sunderland striker Michael Chopra.
Rangers want to sign Chopra, 24, on loan until January with a view to a possible permanent move when the transfer window re-opens.
But even if Sunderland manager Roy Keane can be persuaded to let him leave on an initial loan deal, agreeing a price for the former Newcastle player could be difficult.
The Black Cats paid Cardiff £5million to sign Chopra in July last year and Rangers are looking to spend around half that amount.
Chopra has been QPR’s top target since money was made available to sign a striker following a mixed start to the season.
But Keane was reluctant to let him go and Rangers then failed with a bid to sign Hull City forward Caleb Folan.
Now the club are again trying to land Chopra but have cooled their interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop.
Chopra will make his debut in the home match against Birmingham on Tuesday night should a deal be agreed in time.
Otherwise, Dexter Blackstock is set to partner Samuel Di Carmine up front having been left on the bench for Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Reading.

Rangers’ performance at the Madejski Stadium increased Gareth Ainsworth’s chances of succeeding Iain Dowie as first-team coach.
Ainsworth was placed in caretaker charge on Friday afternoon after Dowie was sacked for refusing to select a team suggested by boss Flavio Briatore.
Despite being overlooked as big names were linked with the job, Ainsworth has a realistic chance.
The 35-year-old player/coach is highly regarded by board members, who were considering him as a possible alternative to Dowie before Briatore eventually wielded the axe." Ealing Gazette


Nigel Brown/Sport.co - Vine: Dowie sacking came out of the blue
- QPR striker Rowan Vine admitted the sacking of boss Iain Dowie came as a bolt from the blue when the news was delivered on Friday. Vine, who is recovering from a broken leg picked up in training in March, said none of the players expected the news and were shocked when they found out Dowie would be leaving after just 15 games in charge. "Everyone was surprised," he said. "The owners and the chairman came in and delivered the news to us at training. It was a big shock.
- "There have been various rumours about managers and players ever since I arrived at the club.
- "We don't take much notice of the papers but as far as we were concerned it came out of the blue.
- "I certainly didn't see it coming but we've just got to get on with it."
- Gareth Ainsworth has been placed in temporary charge and picked up a credible 0-0 draw away to Reading on Saturday, but speculation is mounting as to who will be next in the hot seat at Loftus Road.
- Names from former boss Terry Venebles, Millwall's Kenny Jackett and Roberto Mancini have all been linked, but there is only one man for the job as far as Vine is concerned.
- "I have heard a few rumours about Zinedine Zidane - certainly in the summer," Vine admitted. "I'd love to see him walk through the door." Sport

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