Danny Shittu Won't be Playing....Several Other Players Not Yet Match Fit (Ben Kosky, Kilburn Times)

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Shittu move still a no-go
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times, July 19, 2006

"Unsettled defender Danny Shittu will be absent from QPR's pre-season build-up this week after the club rejected an increased Watford bid for their star player.The Hornets have offered £2m to prise Shittu from Loftus Road - well short of Rs chairman Gianni Paladini's asking price. Paladini reiterated that there was 'no chance at all' of him allowing Shittu - who is under contract to Rangers for another two years - to leave for less than £3m.
The big centre-back will play no part in tonight's friendly at Stevenage Borough and is unlikely to be involved when Rangers travel to Gillingham on Saturday. Manager Gary Waddock denied that the uncertainty over Shittu's future had induced him to leave the player out, explaining that he plans to give Matthew Rose a run-out instead."Danny's not available at the moment and that's because he needs to get a little more fitness work under his belt before he plays," said Waddock." No disrespect to Stevenage - we won't be putting out a full-strength team, but we'll try and give players a longer time on the pitch."
Jamaican international Damion Stewart is set to make his QPR debut in the Stevenage match, but supporters will have to wait a little longer to see Australian midfielder Nick Ward in action."We need to get Nick Ward right up to speed before we show him to the crowd. It's a big step for him and I don't want to throw him in too quickly," added Waddock.
Front pair Paul Furlong and Marc Nygaard, along with left-back Mauro Milanese, are also short of fitness, but midfielder Martin Rowlands is expected to make his first appearance for six months.And Rangers will also include new signing Egutu Oliseh, who agreed a two-year contract on Monday after impressing the manager in training.The Nigerian midfielder became Waddock's fourth summer signing - and another followed last night when Polish striker Adam Czerkas agreed a one-year loan deal.
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