FURLONG POISED TO SIGN UP AGAIN
By Dave McIntyre
QPR are confident Paul Furlong will sign a new contract before the end of the season.
Furlong has been offered a two-year deal by Rangers after underlining his importance to the club by netting 18 goals this term.
There has been some interest in the 36-year-old from other clubs but Rs chairman Bill Power is hopeful Furlong will put pen to paper soon.
Power said: "We've offered him the contract - a two-year deal.
"Obviously he has to consider it and take advice from certain people. But hopefully it will all be sorted out shortly.
"He's been brilliant for us and has been so important this season. We've got high hopes for next season and he's a part of that."
Furlong picked up the club's player of the year award last weekend, with Danny Shittu edging out Marcus Bignot in second place.
Lee Cook, who was named young player of the year, could soon have competition for his place in the shape of Arsenal teenager Ryan Smith.
The 19-year-old, who primarily plays on the left flank but can also operate up front, is the latest Highbury youngster to be targeted by Rangers.
Smith has made six Carling Cup appearances for Arsenal's first team - three of them this season.
But his chances at Arsenal are limited and he looks set to join former Gunners Dominic Shimmin and Matt Hislop at
Manager Ian Holloway is keen to add several players to his squad before the start of next season, when the transfer window system will start operating for non-Premiership clubs.
He missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at Wigan to watch
And last Friday evening Holloway was in
Chief executive Mark Devlin confirmed: "The manager's keen to sign a number of players before next season.
"The transfer window coming in will affect how we all operate and it's important to be ready.
"We've seen in recent weeks, with the injury problems we've had, how the squad can be stretched and if we're not able to go out and get players for months at a time we have to be prepared."