QPR unlikely to pursue Hendrick
QUEENS Park Rangers have indicated they will not follow up Jeff Hendrick’s loan spell at Loftus Road with a permanent offer.
The Republic of Ireland international made seven starts for the London side after leaving Newcastle in January on loan after learning he would not be part of Eddie Howe’s 25-man squad.
Hendrick is one of a potential 32 senior players returning to the club for pre-season, though the Magpies head coach admitted on Sunday that an undisclosed number of squad members will be jettisoned this summer to create space for new recruits.
Former Burnley midfielder Hendrick, who joined United on a fouryear, £50,000-per-week deal in 2020, would appear to be a prime candidate to leave the club this summer.
He has already made it clear that he has no interest in simply picking up his wages as an unregistered squad member.
Howe has not given Hendrick a great deal of game-time since arriving in November and allowed the 30-year-old to leave the club during the January transfer window.
The midfielder was also a target of Middlesbrough at the turn of the year but opted to join QPR instead.
However, it appears Hendrick, who scored the last goal of Newcastle’s Mike Ashley era, has not done enough to impress.
A short QPR statement read: “Following the conclusion of our 2021/22 season at Swansea City on Saturday, Sam McCallum, Andre Gray, Dion Sanderson and Jeff Hendrick have now returned to their parent clubs.
“Hendrick arrived in W12 in January, coming in from Newcastle United. The 30-year-old midfielder made 11 appearances in all competitions. The club would like to thank all four players for their efforts and wish them every success in the future.”