Marti Cifuentes confirms when QPR will make contract decision over 'very good' striker

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has had his say on the situation surrounding an in-form striker currently owned by the club. It has been an interesting season so far for the Hoops, who sit in and around mid-table despite getting off to a rocky start initially.

The West London side remained patient with Cifuentes, and it paid off, with the club having a bright outlook heading into the second half of the season, with relegation no longer a realistic concern.

The challenge for a club like QPR, who don’t typically spend big amounts of money every year, is managing the inevitable turnover that takes place each summer, with players regularly moving on, just like Chris Willock did at the end of last season.

A number of contract decisions will have to be made again this summer, and one of those includes striker Charlie Kelman, who has been impressing out on loan with Leyton Orient after being left out of Cifuentes’ plans for the season.

Kelman has scored 12 times in 41 appearances across all competitions for Orient, also providing four assists. The 23-year-old’s efforts have helped Orient mount a play-off charge up to this point, currently just two points off the top six. This is Kelman’s fifth loan spell, previously scoring seven goals in 43 league games for Orient, while he scored three times 14 league appearances during a brief loan spell with Wigan Athletic last season.

Still only 23, Kelman may have potential at Championship leve, but he has only made 23 league outings for the Hoops, who will have to make the final decision. But the decision will be made at the end of the season, according to Cifuentes, who told West London Sport: “When we send any player on loan the main target is that they can play, can develop and progress.

“That’s the case with him and it’s not just about the goals but the level of his performances has been very good. Hopefully he will finish the season very strongly, and we will decide what’s the next step with him.”

Your next QPR read, Championship club appoint 'clever' manager ahead of QPR and Millwall