QPR LOOK AT HICKEY

QUEENS PARK RANGERS have joined Italian side Roma in the pursuit of Hearts teenager Aaron Hickey.

The English Championship club, managed by ex-Rangers boss Mark Warburton, sent a scout to Tynecastle for yesterday’s Scottish Cup tie against Airdrieonians.

Hickey picked up a knock, was substituted in the 27th minute of the 5-0 home victory and declared a doubt for the midweek trip north to Ross County.

The full-back broke into the Hearts team aged 16 last term and, even as the club has

slumped to the bottom of the Premiership table in the current campaign, he has been a shining light.

Hearts have been keen to tie Hickey down to a new long-term contract but, with a host of clubs linked with the player, the Edinburgh club may be forced to consider significant money before the end of the transfer window.

Hickey, now 17, has already been linked with Manchester City and is appealing to English clubs because, if recruited before his 18th birthday, he could qualify as a home-grown player under Premier League rules.

Meanwhile, new head coach Daniel Stendel is keen to add to his squad before the trip to Dingwall, with Kosovo striker Donis Avdijaj set for talks. The 23-year-old has had his contract with Trabzonspor terminated after just six months and there is interest from Turkey and Germany.

‘It is not so easy but we have big hopes that we’ll have one or two new players in before the next game,’ said Stendel. ‘Every manager will say the January window is not easy.

‘I am sure that we can bring the player in that we want to bring in.’