Lee Cook’s doctor has declared his latest knee operation to be a success and given the left winger the all clear to return to training. Meanwhile Gregory Vignal has not been offered a deal at Loftus Road after his trial.
Cook has been blighted with knee problems since leaving QPR for Fulham two years ago. After a stop start campaign in 2008/09 Cook was forced to go under the knife again at the end of the season for a clean up operation. Following that he had a follow up appointment with the surgeon this week and Cook has now been given the green light to return to training, although obviously having missed all of the pre-season training and friendlies a return to action is still some way off.
Physio Paul Hunter told the club’s official website: “It confirmed to us that the operation was a complete success, and we have now been given permission to step up his rehabilitation. Lee is exactly in line with where I anticipated him to be at this stage. I would also like to stress that this is a new injury, and not linked in anyway to Lee's previous surgery. It is always difficult to pin-point a return date following this kind of operation but, needless to say, we will be doing everything in our power to have Lee available to the manager as quickly as possible.”
When Cook does return to the first team it seems almost certain now that he will be partnered down the left flank by Gary Borrowdale after Lens full back Gregory Vignal was released at the end of his trial period without being offered a deal. Vignal appeared in the pre-season wins at Kettering and Wycombe and was available on a free transfer this summer as Lens look to cut costs. The former Liverpool, Portsmouth, Rangers and Southampton man is keen to return to England but will not be offered a deal at Rangers who will now go with Borrowdale or Connolly at left back when the season gets underway next week.
Goalkeeper Andy Marshall could yet earn a deal as cover to Radek Cerny though. The former Norwich and Ipswich man is available on a free transfer after being released by Coventry and has impressed in pre-season with QPR so far. With Cerny ill Marshall will get a final chance to show what he can do this afternoon as QPR face Southampton before a decision is made. QPR’s previous trialist goalkeeper Martin Lejsal will not be offered a deal by Bristol City and may now sign for Dutch club Heerenveen. Lejsal failed to impress Jim Magilton on the tour of Slovenia and Croatia but enjoyed three good games with City, who have transfer listed first choice Adriano Basso this summer, in three pre-seasonn friendlies. Nevertheless gary Johnson told City’s official website: “His club were pushing for a decision early as there had been interest from Heerenveen. We put Martin through a stringent medical but decided at this time we couldn't offer him anything, it wouldn't be right for the club. We'll carry on searching and we have a couple of irons in the fire.”
The rumour mill has again spun out the name of Akos Buzsaky and linked it to Stoke City this weekend, although the player has told Nemzeti Sport that he knows nothing about it and is expecting to stay with QPR for the duration of his contract. Buzsaky said: “I don't know anything about this rumour with Stoke. This is true that my former manager Tony Pulis knows me very well and knows what I can do on the pitch but I don't think that anyone would like to sign a player who missed half-a-year due to injury. After a good season it may be a question. I have a three-year-long contract and I would like to stay here until it expires but sooner or later I'd like to compete in the Premier League and it might be that I must try to reach this challenge at another club if it's not possible with QPR.”
Fitz Hall has also been tentatively linked with a move to Reading.
In former QPR news Liam Miller, despite being without a professional club seven days before the start of the season, has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly with Australia on August 12. Dexter Blackstock missed Nottingham Forest’s friendly with Stoke during the week after pulling up with a groin injury but is hoping to be fit for their match with Birmingham today. Manager Billy Davies said: “It wasn't ideal for us, losing Dexter so close to the game, but there was no point in taking any risks with him. By pulling him out of the Stoke match there is every chance he will be available to play against Birmingham here on Saturday.”
Ian Holloway could have a number of debutants on show at Loftus Road next Saturday when he takes charge of Blackpool for the first time. After a poor pre-season and with many pundits tipping the Tangerines for the drop Olly met with the club’s rich Latvian board member Valery Belokon on Wednesday and, in typical style, got him to agree to a substantial investment in players with Rotherham’s Reuben Redi and Rangers’ Alan Gow at the top of the shopping list. Olly told the Blackpool Gazette: “This is fantastic news for the club. Mr Belokon and I chatted at length on Wednesday about various things and his passion and desire for the club were clear for everyone to see. I am looking forward to discussing the players we have identified and I can't wait for the game with QPR next Saturday.”
Simon Walton, who spent the end of last season on loan at Blackpool, may be about to end his nightmare spell with Plymouth who he joined from QPR this time last year with a move to League One side Millwall. Walton, who has already clocked up four permanent clubs and four more on loan despite only being 21, has been allowed to train with Millwall this week by Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock with whom Walton has endured a difficult relationship since his £750k move from Loftus Road.
Elsewhere in the Championship the pursuit of Leroy Lita has been stepped up. Lita’s wage demands and opinion of himself has so far restricted offers but with him still currently unattached and the start of the season looming it seems he is coming round to the Championship clubs’ way of thinking and Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Palace and ourselves have all been linked with a move for the former Reading man. Palace’s interest may cool somewhat after they added Southampton striker Stern John to their line up on Friday. Newcastle have finally managed to offload a big earner, with Obefemi Martins joining German side Wolfsburg on a four year contract. Cardiff’s Paul parry is set for a move to Preston.