BIG LES PRAISES HOOPS STARLET CHAIR
ILIAS CHAIR benefited from a loan spell in League Two last season, according to QPR’s director of football Les Ferdinand.
The 21-year-old midfielder spent the second half of the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Stevenage and scored six times in 16 appearances.
Chair has now signed a new three-year deal with the Hoops having started the last four games in all competitions.
Ferdinand said: “Ilias has done very well for us and it is really pleasing to agree a new contract with him. He did very well at Stevenage.
“He gained game-time and confidence and that’s the whole point of using the loan system like we do.
“But as well as being a good footballer he is a good character as well. He knows what he wants out of life and he knows what he wants out of football.”
Chair said: “I’m very pleased and very happy. The way that we play, the way that the club works, it was all so important.
“I feel this is the start. In life when you do something and you get rewarded, you move onto the next thing, the next target.
“Now that I have signed this contract I am focused on the next one.”
QPR midfielder Charlie Owens, meanwhile, has been ruled out of action for up to four months after suffering a knee injury last week.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury during an Under-23 clash with Bournemouth and underwent surgery.
QPR’s head of medical services Dr Imtiaz Ahmad said: “Unfortunately Charlie twisted his right knee and has torn his cartilage.
“After seeing the specialist it was quickly agreed that having surgery was the best course of action.
“This type of injury normally takes three to four months to repair. Charlie is disappointed, but upbeat and eager to come back strongly.”