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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

John Gregory - Nick Ward Still Has a QPR Chance & Players Maybe Going Out on Loan

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Ben Kosky on

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Door won't be closed on Ward
AUSTRALIAN international Nick Ward may still have a future at Loftus Road if he impresses during his loan spell with Brighton.
Ward, who only joined QPR last summer from Perth Glory, was farmed out to the south coast for the rest of the season just before the January transfer window closed.
The midfielder had started just four games - mostly out of position on the right flank - since John Gregory took over, but the Rangers boss insisted: "I'm certainly not closing the door on him.
"I knew there had been a lot of expectation when Nick joined and I had a lot of chats with him. He did have opportunities, but not in his preferred role, which is probably behind a front two.
"Unfortunately we're not in a situation where I can just throw him in and say 'enjoy yourself' - from day one we've been under pressure to pick up points.
"I think he's still learning what the English game is about and this is just part of his education, to go down to Brighton and hopefully come back at the start of next season with a slightly different perspective on things."
Ward made his Seagulls debut in a 0-0 draw with Rotherham and was substituted at half-time during their defeat at Brentford on Saturday.
And Gregory has confirmed he plans to send some of the younger members of his squad out on loan in the coming weeks.
The QPR manager has recently trimmed the playing roster by around 20 per cent, but is still keen to loan out players who are not involved on matchday.
"There are maybe three or four players who will be allowed to go on loan if the opportunity arises," said Gregory.
"If we're winning matches, suddenly the team starts picking itself and players can be surplus to requirements."
Promising defender Dominic Shimmin, who has struggled with injury for much of the last year, is top of Gregory's 'to loan' list, while striker Stefan Moore is also a prime candidate for another temporary move.
Moore spent two months on loan with League One side Port Vale earlier in the season and has not played for Rangers' first team since last April. Kilburn Times

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