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Paul Waburton/Fulham Chronicle - Benni McCarthy's QPR move in the balance
QPR cannot afford Benni McCarthy right now – but if current players are sold or loaned – Rs will be back for the West Ham striker.
Boss Neil Warnock made it plain last night his priority is to bed in Wayne Routledge, Ishmael Miller and Danny Shittu – provided he rubber-stamps deals for all three – as well as tie up Pascal Chimbonda to a short-term contract.
The manager already exclusively revealed to Chronicle sport he wanted four new faces in the transfer window – but now wants to make McCarthy number five – if purse strings can be loosened.
The South African international, now 33, was rumoured to have piled on the pounds, but Warnock insists McCarthy is in good shape – and proved it when he turned out for a QPR side in a closed-doors friendly against Tottenham on Tuesday.
Rangers lost 9-2 to a Spurs team sporting one-time target Jonathan Woodgate, but the Rs manager was happy with the West Ham striker’s showing.
He said: "I’ve been allocated a certain budget by the board this week, and the priority is three, maybe four other players.
"Once they're sorted out we’ll look at Benni’s situation again, especially if we have players leaving in one form or another.
"He did all right and looked fit, so those fat boy stories are untrue."
Former Ranger Routledge was expected to put pen to paper on a loan deal from Newcastle – almost a year to the day when he signed for the Magpies in a £2million deal.
Warnock added: "I remember when Wayne played against us in the last game of last season - it needed two of ours to get a grip. If all goes well, then we hope he'll do it to other teams as well."
Miller from West Brom is the speed option in place of the crocked Jamie Mackie and Pat Agyemang – and former Rs legend Shittu is inching closer to a return to the central defence he bossed for 169 games between 2001-06.
The Nigerian international is a free agent and has already turned down an overture from Millwall whom he joined on a three-month contract in October.
Right-back Chimbonda is set to be released by Blackburn Rovers – but the former Tottenham player is haggling over a pay-off deal from Ewood Park, and was not expected to be ready in time for Rangers to play Coventry City at home on Sunday.
Fulham Chronicle
Miekele Leigertwood on Settling in at Reading and on the Charity work he and Fitz do
Get Reading/Matthew Sadler - Mikele puts unbeaten record on the line
January 21, 2011
On-loan midfielder Mikele Leigertwood believes a win over visitors Hull City tomorrow (3pm kick-off) would put Reading firmly in promotion contention.
Royals have lost just once in their last 12 games and Leigertwood is yet to taste defeat in his eight appearances for Brian McDermott’s side.
A victory tomorrow could push Reading into the play-off places as Watford, who currently occupy sixth spot, are away at high-flying Cardiff City.
Royals drew 1-1 at Hull when the two sides met three-and-a-half weeks ago, but Leigertwood is buoyed by the way his side responded after ex-Reading midfielder James Harper opened the scoring for the hosts.
He said: “It was a game where we didn’t start particularly well, but we managed to come back and show some good spirit, so hopefully this time we can go one better.
“I just want it (the unbeaten record) to continue as long as possible. We know it is going to be hard, especially against Hull, but if we can get another win we will be right up there in the mix.
“It’s not just down to me it’s down to the team, everyone does their bit.
“I am glad to be here and the boys have been great, as has the manager and the staff.
“Since signing on loan the results have been good and I want that continue.
“It’s still quite nerve-wracking to come to a new place of work, but everyone has been top class.”
Leigertwood’s loan spell at Reading runs out at the end of the season, but the Antigua international is keen to make his switch to Madejski Stadium permanent.
He said: “Things are done really well here, They just make sure you are right and ready for the end of the week.
“If the option is available then definitely, but that’s something the clubs have to agree and other things have to be right. I would have no problem signing here.”
As well as being a key player in Reading’s push for promotion, Leigertwood is also heavily invloved with children’s initiatve A-Star, which QPR defender Fitz Hall set up.
He explained: “Fitz Hall started it with a guy called Kenny Bonsu and it was to try and help children in the community and give a little bit back.
“We want to get them doing things instead of hanging around on the streets.
“It gives them the opportunity to get into sporting activities, music, drama and we are aiming to start a street football league.
“The concept is that I’ll be a manager of a team, Fitz will have his team, (QPR striker) Rowan Vine will have a team and we are going to try and get other professional players involved and we’ll play against each other.” Get Reading
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