'Aggressive' - Newcastle United star given 66-word evaluation by QPR boss after loan debut

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes.QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes.
QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes. | Getty Images
The Newcastle United defender completed a loan move to London on Deadline Day last month.

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes heaped praise on Newcastle United loanee Harrison Ashby after the defender made his full debut for the Championship side in Carabao Cup action last week.

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The R's bowed out of the tournament at the hands of London rivals and Premier League opposition Crystal Palace but, when reflecting on that result in his matchday programme notes on Saturday, the Catalan singled out the Magpies man for praise following his first minutes for QPR.

Ashby, who joined Newcastle United from West Ham in 2023, had spent last season on loan with Swansea City in the second tier. The 22-year-old made 16 appearances for the Welsh side before returning to St James' Park, where Eddie Howe decided that the full-back needed more experience before trying to break into the first team.

Several Championship clubs were believed to be keen to snap up the former Hammer but it was QPR that won the race with a season-long loan deal announced on Deadline Day.

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Ashby made his QPR debut against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, managing 68 minutes as the visitors won 2-1 thanks to Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze goals, with Sam Field on the scoresheet for the hosts.

Writing in the matchday programme ahead of facing Millwall on Saturday, Cifuentes said: "We gave Harrison Ashby his debut for the club after signing on loan from Newcastle and I think he showed his ability. Harrison is an aggressive defender, he's got some important qualities to attack in the way we want to do it.

"Although he is just getting started after joining us pretty late in the transfer window, I am sure he will help us a lot."

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Crystal Palace knocked QPR out of the Carabao Cup on Ashby's debut.Crystal Palace knocked QPR out of the Carabao Cup on Ashby's debut.
Crystal Palace knocked QPR out of the Carabao Cup on Ashby's debut. | Getty Images

Ashby faced a difficult Crystal Palace side with Oliver Glasner not weakening his starting XI to face the Championship side. Jean-Phillipe Mateta started up front with Eze and Nketiah behind him while Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchel providing danger on the flanks from their wing-back roles.

Cifuentes picked up on the strong Palace team in his notes. He said: "I have complete respect for all teams, no matter what division they play in. But the fact that Palace lined up with their regular starting 11 - especially when they are playing against Manchester United this evening [on Saturday] - probably means something and we can take it as a compliment."

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