QPR leading chase to land Crues rising star Whyte in the summer

QUEENS Park Rangers could be set to launch another summer raid on the Irish League to bring Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte to Loftus Road.

The Championship side land- ed Paul Smyth from Linfield last August and now they are the club leading the chase for the Seaview favourite.

Whyte (right), who turns 22 on January 31, has just pocketed back-to-back Player of the Month prizes, and his devastating form this season has sparked fresh interest among cross-channel scouts.

One Crusaders source explained: “We’ve had at least 12 scouts watching Gavin this season but QPR are the biggest club. There have been no offers but you would expect any interest to be followed up in the summer, allowing a young player time to adapt to a full-time environment.”

A QPR scout was hoping to watch Whyte in action on Saturday, but he was rested for the Irish Cup game against Maiden City. Crusaders rejected bids for the player from Dundee United a year ago, but the Belfast man is now playing the best football of his career and a summer move remains a real possibility.

WHYTE WONDER: Page 53