 Tuesday, 7th Dec 2010 16:56 by Clive Whittingham Neil Warnock has confirmed that both Martin Rowlands and Lee Cook can look elsewhere for first team football, while Hull City have insisted the right decision was made over Saturday’s postponement. NewsThe futures of Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands continue to hang in the balance with Neil Warnock admitting this week that neither are in his immediate first team plans and both are welcome to join other clubs on loan in January with Crystal Palace known to be interested in Rowlands. Warnock told the Fulham Chronicle: “I've spoken to Crystal Palace and a couple of other clubs have asked me over the last few months. I've told Martin who they are, but at the minute he doesn't want to do anything. At the moment, he's not getting in the side. He needs first team games and I can't see him getting in my team. He says he doesn't get anything out of friendlies. But that's down to Martin really, because I'm not forcing anybody to go. Lee Cook could go out in January, but I'm not bothered about anyone going out permanently because I like the squad as it is.” QPR are currently preparing for this Friday night’s televised game against Watford at Loftus Road, and have had an extra week to ready themselves with Saturday’s game at Hull postponed despite the KC Stadium pitch being playable. Hull City assistant manager Craig Shakespeare told the Hull Daily Mail: “You don't want to be playing catch up on your fixture list but when you consider the health and safety of 20,000 supporters, it was the wise decision. Ideally, we'd have liked the game to go ahead. We were seeing it as another chance to move up the division and keep our run going. But coming in and seeing the KC Stadium was a reality check. People were trying their hardest to get the game on and the pitch was looking okay under a small covering. But if you looked at the access roads and paths, it was sensible to say the least." The nearby Princess Quay shopping centre was open for business as normal on Saturday. Elsewhere Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill says he has received an apology from the refereeing assessor present at our 1-1 draw at Fratton Park last month. Referee Gavin Ward awarded QPR a crucial and controversial injury time penalty in the 1-1 draw for handball against Liam Lawrence, although the ball appeared to strike the players’ chest. It is not yet clear whether QPR have had a similar apology for the Portsmouth penalty earlier in the game which was ridiculously retaken despite minimal encroachment and no movement from goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Cotterill told Portsmouth News: “'We should have beaten QPR – the referee made a big mistake. Afterwards they think they can correct that by sending me an e-mail admitting that someone got it wrong. It was from the assessor, for all the good that does this football club. Yet who is prepared to say that on the night? After a match I speak to the television, radio and then press. Now I haven't got a problem with that. So why can't match officials also come out and speak, explaining some of their decisions? It's wrong. We want to hear what they have to say on things like this. It's not much comfort afterwards being told by somebody else it was a mistake. We should have won that game and be two points better off in the league. It cost us big time.” Finally QPR’s Under 18s line up against their Nottingham Forest counterparts tonight at Loftus Road in the third round of the FA Youth Cup. Forest’s academy director Nick Marshall said: “QPR don't have Academy status - they are a centre of excellence - but over the last couple of years they have started to invest in their youth operation and are starting to see the benefits. They have played 13 games this season and have won 12 of them and drawn the other, which speaks volumes for their quality. I saw them play against West Ham last season and most of the players who were on duty that day will more than likely line-up against us. They are an experienced group with a good coach in Steve Gallen and they have a way of playing, which is continental in its approach. "We are an Academy and I like to think we've got some good players but we're the opposite to them in so much that we're a new team, only Neill Byrne and Danny Meadows played in the FA Youth Cup last season. We've got a lot of first years so we will be less experienced than Rangers and it will be a tough game but we will give it our best shot."
Loan WatchMikele Leigertwood says he would like to make his loan move to Reading permanent if the Royals are willing to sign him. Leigertwood said: “I’m pleased with the way things have gone and I hope it continues – I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t. To get an opportunity like this at a club that has got what it takes to get into the Premier League is where I want to be.I was on the bench and hadn’t been playing. To hear that you’re not involved in his long-term plans is a bit frustrating, but you have to get your head down and look to either move on or train as hard as you can until you get your chance again. Luckily for me I had a couple of options and when this one came about it was a no-brainer for me. “I’m really enjoying it. We had a game to prepare for in my first week so I was pleased to get out there straight away. I know there is a good squad here so there is going to be good competition for places, but it was nice to get named in the side. I thought I did alright until I got cramp. It was enjoyable and everyone has been really good to me. Training has been good and all the staff and players have been first class. I’ve played against most of the players here and I know what they are capable of. The run they went on last year just shows what they can do. It’s just getting the right of form together and once you get that win it breeds confidence.” Leigertwood played 77 minutes on his debut against Leeds last week but has faced a fortnight long wait for his second appearance because Reading’s Saturday trip to Sheffield United was postponed because of the snow. Reading face Coventry at home this weekend. Rowan Vine is still waiting for his second Brentford debut because of the weather. However the striker told the Hounslow Chronicle that he hopes a temporary move to Griffin park can reignite his faltering career. He said: “"I want to get back to the level I was at before I got injured. I just want to play as much as I can and kick-start my career. I don't mind dropping down a division – there's no airs and graces about me. I still think I've got my best football ahead of me. I want to put my name back on the map. I had some great memories. I've still got the season's review video now. I think it was called something like 'Young Guns and Cup Runs', but it's a bit scratchy now. Even though I started my career at Portmsouth I always call Brentford my first club. That's where I made my name. If I didn't go to Brentford I don't think I would've had the success afterwards. This is a chance for me to write a new chapter." Antonio German will stay with League Two side Southend for a further month after scoring one goal in five appearances for them so far.
RumoursThe Independent on Sunday reports this week that QPR have held formal discussions with Hammersmith and Fulham Council about moving to a new stadium on the site of BBC television centre after the corporation moves its base to Manchester in 2011. The move would be complicated by the grade two listed status of TVC and adjacent studios but the BBC has put the buildings on the market with a view to them being developed as shops, offices, leisure and/or homes. The borough council is said to favour the move and Rangers are reportedly drawing up plans for a 35,000 all seated stadium. The story has been the source of some conjecture on the LoftforWords message board in recent days.
Former R’sZesh Rehman has been stripped of the captaincy and transfer listed by League Two side Bradford City. QPR sold Rehman to the Bantams two seasons ago and he has become a key figure at the club with high profile work on and off the pitch. However his public criticism of manager Peter Taylor’s decision to drop him from the starting line up has tested his manager’s patience too far and he will be allowed to leave on a free transfer in the January transfer window. Rehman inadvisably told BBC Radio Leeds: “I'm not going to lie, it's left a bad taste in my mouth having to watch the last few games from the bench. I've led the team to good results and performances and then I've had four young loan defenders, with ten league games between them, come in and play ahead of me. Now, no disrespect to them, but at times like this I think you need experience. I'm club captain, have played over 200 games in my career so far and I think my experience could help the team right now. It's not just me that's baffled as to why I'm not playing, but my team-mates as well and I've been stopped by a number of fans too. But, at the end of the day, the manager has to pick the team that he thinks can win and you have to respect that and get on with it. "The manager has spoken to me about it and he feels the right-backs he has brought in are a bit more attacking than myself. But the last game I played at right-back was in a 5-0 win and that was probably our most attacking performance of the season. So I won't necessarily agree with that opinion but you have to respect it." Following Taylor’s decision to wield the axe Rehman expressed surprise but sai he would continue to put in 100 per cent while with the club. He told Sky Sports: “I'm at the club and will continue to give 100 per cent when called upon as always. I've worked 24/7 on and off the pitch for the club, as I have done for every club I've been at. The fans have been good to me since I've been here and I really appreciate their continued support. I'm aware of how quickly things can change in this game and you can never say never. I have played in all four leagues and have always received praise for my professionalism, work ethic and attitude." The simple fact, that often gets overlooked by Rehman himself and others because of his extensive charity work, is that he’s a really poor footballer.
Championship Shorts- Cardiff have confirmed that striker Jay Bothroyd will miss their weekend game against Middlesbrough, but they are expecting to have their top scorer back in time for the hectic Christmas period. Bothroyd limped out of their weekend draw with lowly Preston inside the first ten minutes and has not scored for City since making his England debut four matches ago. - Barnsley are hoping to keep Birmingham striker Garry O’Connor on loan when his initial spell expires after this weekend. The Scot has scored three goals in seven starts over his two months with the club so far. - It’s a similar story at Preston who want to keep Stoke duo Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge after their loan deals expire on December 18. Tonge scored Preston’s goal in a creditable draw at Cardiff on Saturday. - Doncaster will keep Sunderland striker David Healy at the Keepmoat Stadium until January after two goals in his first five matches for the club. Healy is covering for injured striker Billy Sharp. Midfield Martin Woods should play this weekend against Leicester after a month out with a groin problem. - Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is finally set to make his debut for Leicester this weekend. The former England goalkeeper angrily dismissed claims that he is injury prone when he signed on at the Walkers Stadium from Wigan last month, only to suffer back spasms in training a day later. The loan deal looked set to be cancelled by Kirkland will now stay and play. He said: “I think the loan was going to be cancelled but thank goodness that is no longer the case. Hopefully I can get down later this week and prove my fitness." Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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