QPR returned to training on Monday morning and with the transfer window about to creak open again it promises to be a hectic few weeks at Loftus Road.
The signing of Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma from Genoa on Friday took QPR’s tally of incoming players this summer to four after the arrivals of Peter Ramage, Radek Cerny and Matteo Alberti. With Mattia Destro, Samuel Di Carmine and Matthias Lepiller all tipped to sign similar loan deals at Loftus Road shortly, and the protracted pursuits of Kaspars Gorkss, Ben Watson and Ched Evans hopefully drawing to a close we may not recognise our squad by the time we take to the field for our first pre-season friendly at Stevenage in 19 days time.
Gianni Paladini told BBC Radio LDN: “By the end of next week we should be able to announce another three new signings. The team's already strong, we've got very good players but we need a good depth to our squad, we should bring in another two from Italy.”
Iain Dowie oversaw his first training session as QPR manager at Harlington on Monday morning but two of QPR’s best players from last season were unable to take part due to long term injury problems. Akos Buzsaky picked up an ankle complaint playing for Hungary in March and has had an operation during the summer break and Rowan Vine continues to astound doctors with the pace of his recovery from a broken leg.
Buzsaky told Sky Sports: “The surgery went well, I expect that I'll be fully fit for the beginning of September. I want to impress. I've already spoken to our new manager Iain Dowie who's told me that he's expecting a lot from me, but stressed that he wants me healthy first. Then he is going to find the best way to build me into the team as soon as possible."
With reigning Player of the Year Martin Rowlands also banned for the opening week’s matches with Barnsley, Swindon and Sheff Utd it could be well into September before Dowie is able to select his first choice starting eleven. Despite that the new gaffer was keen to stress during an interview with Sky Sports News at the weekend that the young boys being brought in from Serie A are arriving with the future, rather than the present in mind. Still with three of the R’s first choice four midfielders injured or suspended for day one, I’d be surprised not to see Ledesma take his place on the left wing against Barnsley on August 9.
Later this week we’ll be debating whether or not the potential arrival of so many young foreign stars at Loftus Road is a good thing, and we’re again looking for volunteers for our next vox pop - e-mail loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk if you want to take part.
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