QPR set to confirm new deal with former Premier League star after Bristol City and Oxford United results

QPR are set to agree a new contract with club captain Steve Cook following recent draws against Cardiff City and Bristol City, as well as the win over Oxford United.

Cook did not feature in any of those matches but West London Sport reports that a new deal with the defender had been largely depending on survival in the Championship this season. While Marti Cifuentes will not see that goal as job done yet - his R’s side sit 15th in the table and are eight points above the drop zone - it seems as if a new deal for Cook is to be unveiled soon.

The 33-year-old has been a key member of Cifuentes’ project at Loftus Road with 31 Championship appearances this season, despite struggling with injury. The former Premier League man was previously at AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Cook has played 180 times in the top flight and 211 times in the second tier, scoring 22 goals from defence in those matches, and adds vital experience to a young QPR side.

QPR star set for new contract

Cook signed for QPR in 2023 for an undisclosed fee, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal. That contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign but the centre-back is now expected to continue his career at Loftus Road next season.

The player is currently out of action for Cifuentes due to a foot injury picked up against Preston North End in December. The star missed six matches due to that injury over the New Year but had returned to action before coming off in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United last month.

Reports of a fresh deal for Cook comes as a boost for QPR, who are set to see Ronnie Edwards return to Southampton this summer upon the expiry of his loan deal. The versatile Jimmy Dunne is also out of contract at the end of the season and is tipped to leave with no shortage of transfer interest around his name over the previous window.

Marti Cifuentes praises ‘high level’ Steve Cook

Speaking about Cook following the draw with Leeds United, during which the defender bagged his second goal in two games, Cifuentes said: “He’s doing really well. I’m very happy for him. He was very unfortunate to pick up the injury when he did, not only because he was playing at a really high level but because we were missing other centre-halves.

“That was a moment when for sure we were missing him, and then when he came back other centre-halves were back and were ahead of him in terms of rhythm and match fitness. He has not put a foot wrong since he started playing again.”

LondonWorld rated the defender a 9/10 for his performance in that match. The website wrote: “That’s more like the Steve Cook that QPR fans know and love. Was sharp from the off, getting his head on an early cross and, while helped by a lack of Leeds United marking, worked his space well to take the header that led to the second goal.”

In other news, QPR’s imminent summer signing has been hailed as ‘something special’ following a seven-minute brace this week.