Striker Jay Simpson says he would welcome competition for his striking place at QPR in the New Year while manager Jim Magilton says he would love to sign Ben Watson permanently from Wigan.

Simpson was harshly misquoted in some parts of the media earlier this week when he apparently intimated a desire to be recalled by Arsenal amid their striking crisis and his good form for QPR. Today the young striker told the Kilburn Times that he is looking forward to the rest of the season at Loftus Road even if he has to scrap for his place with any potential new signings in January – Jermaine Beckford and Nathan Ellington have both been linked again this week.

Simpson said: “Competition will only make you better, so I would welcome another player coming in, you never know, it could be someone I'd link up well with and play off. Some people might drag their legs if there wasn't competition and I think it's important that doesn't happen. I'm enjoying myself at the moment - I'm playing every week and I'm scoring goals. When I play I always feel confident I can score. The manager hasn't set me a target but, when you look at the end of the season the top scorer's on 20-plus goals, so I'll aim for the same."

"I've played out wide before and it can be difficult playing up top by yourself. There have been certain games where I've been isolated. But I enjoy the task and I'm up for it every time. We like to play a quick tempo and we've got some very talented players so, if you make runs up front, they will look for you. We do well against the big clubs and it's important to pick up points against the teams around us - when Middlesbrough come down here next Saturday we'll make it difficult for them.”

Simpson should be a key man for QPR in the second half of the season, as could Ben Watson if Jim Magilton gets his way and secures a permanent deal for him in January. Watson was in fine form against Coventry at the weekend after recovering from a wildly inconsistent start to his time with the club that included two sendings off and a goal against Barnsley. Magilton told the BBC he would be very keen to sign the midfielder from Wigan in January if Roberto Martinez is willing to listen to offers. Magilton said: “I'd like to keep Ben at the club. If we can keep him until the end of the season or do a deal to sign him then I'd be delighted. It's something we'll leave to the money men. I definitely want him. He's a player I rate highly. He is energetic, keen and ambitious."

One man out of favour at the moment as he recovers from an ankle operation is Hogan Ephraim – he played 75 minutes of his debut for Leeds at Oldham last night as Simon Grayson’s men won 2-0. Ephraim told the Leeds official website: “I had an ankle operation a while ago and the manager wanted me to go out on loan and get my match fitness up. Leeds has been mentioned a few times in the past when offers have come up and it's something I've always been interested in. When Leeds come along it's not the sort of club you say no to because of it's size and the size of the fanbase. It was a massive attraction. It helps when you see they are flying high and playing good football, and hopefully it'll be a good month."

The club has confirmed that our FA Cup third round tie at Sheffield United will take place on Sunday January 3 at 3pm at the request of South Yorkshire Police. Sheffield Wednesday were drawn to face Crystal Palace at home and it was always unlikely that both Sheffield teams would be allowed to play two London sides in the city on the same day.

Off the pitch QPR have a new managing director following the departure of Alejandro Agag earlier this week. Ishan Saksena, an investment banker formerly with Lehman Brothers, will takeover with immediate affect with Ali Russell continuing as deputy.

Rangers have also signed a three year, six figure deal with bookmakers Stan James that will see betting kiosks return to Loftus Road in the new year. Ali Russell told the club’s official website: “Matchday bets are very popular with football supporters and we know through speaking with QPR’s fans how keen they are to see betting kiosks return to the stadium. We plan to have these in place at Loftus Road from the beginning of next year.”

In former QPR news Stefan Bailey scored twice on his debut for Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night after signing from Grays against Stevenage and their goalkeeper Chris Day

Elsewhere in the Championship so far this week Watford chairman Jimmy Russo has loaned the club's parent company £1m for the club to survive the next month. The club has told the stock exchange that it needs £5.5m more to continue until the end of June and keeper Scott Loach is likely to be sold in January. The news would seem to rule the Hornets out of a permanent move for QPR’s Heidar Helguson who is currently at Vicarage Road on loan with Rangers paying at least half his wages.

Ipswich have been told they cannot have special dispensation to sign a keeper on loan to replace the injured Richard Wright so Arron Lee Barrett will start at Bristol City on Saturday. Reading’s Kalifa Cisse says he may try and leave the club in January if he doesn’t get first team opportunities soon – the Mali winger hasn’t started since a 4-1 defeat at QPR in October. Ian Holloway has urged Blackpool fans to cut striker Ben Burgess some slack after he was booed by a section of the home crowd in Monday’s derby with Preston that finished 1-1.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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