HUGILL’S TOLD: WE NEED YOUR GOAL KNACK TO REPLACE NAHKI
MARK WARBURTON has urged Jordan Hugill to fill Nahki Wells’ boots.
Wells was named Championship player of January for his performances on loan at QPR. But has since been recalled by Burnley before being sold to Rangers’ rivals Bristol City.
Now Loftus Road boss Warburton wants West Ham loanee Hugill (above) to replace him as the focal point of the Hoops’ forward line.
He called on the big striker to add to his 11 goals this season, and be a leader for young guns Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ilias Chair, Eberechi Eze, Olamide Shodipo and Luke Amos.
QPR have lost three on the spin ahead of today’s trip to Huddersfield and Warburton said: “Jordan is the main man as a proven goalscorer with what he has done this season. “He’ll relish it, I have no doubt. “I’ll be saying to the likes of Brighty, Ilias, Ebs, Mide, Luke Amos, ‘Go and get yourself forward. Get into the key areas and get the goals that we need’.
“It’s a great opportunity and I know that they will rise to that challenge.
“We have a lot of quality in our team but we have to prepare well, recognise what we face. Huddersfield have a powerful, physical attacking threat and experience at the back.”
Huddersfield goalkeeper Kamil Grabara could return to light exercise next week as he continues his recovery from a head injury.
The 21-year-old Pole, who is on loan from Liverpool, spent two nights in hospital after being knocked unconscious in a collision with teammate Christopher Schindler during the 2-1 win at Hull at the end of January.
Terriers manager Danny Cowley later revealed the player had suffered a small bleed in his head and would be out of action for at least 28 days.
Joel Coleman started last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Fulham in Grabara’s place, but former Huddersfield keeper Jonas Lossl could face QPR after returning on loan from Everton for the remainder of the season.
Cowley said: “We’re still monitoring Kamil Grabara. We’re hoping that next week he’ll be able to do light exercise, which is a really positive result. He’s a really durable, resilient boy and day by day his symptoms have cleared.”