Hill could win new Rs deal

Clint Hill: Mark Hughes has been pleased with veteran defender's displays

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has hinted veteran defender Clint Hill could win a new contract this summer.

Hill's future looked bleak earlier in the season after he was loaned to Nottingham Forest, although he is now back in the Rs starting XI following an injury to Luke Young.

The ex-Fulham boss is pleased with the 33-year-old's performances, stating he has been one of the club's more consistent performers.

Although the former Crystal Palace man has done his part to impress Hughes the club will not be discussing a possible extension until the summer.

Consistent

"Since Clint has come in he's done really well so he's done himself no harm whatsoever," Hughes told London24.com.

"We wouldn't discuss contracts until the summer, but I have been really pleased with him. I put him at centre-back and he's been one of our more consistent performers.

"It has been difficult because there have been a lot of changes in the back four, we haven't been able to pick a settled side."

Difficult

Struggling QPR have gone 19 games since keeping a clean sheet in England's top flight and Hughes admits not having a settled backline has done little to aid their quest.

"We lost Luke Young to injury for a couple of games so we had to re-jig things," he continued.

"Danny Gabbidon was out of the side, then we brought back Armand Traore from the Africa Cup of Nations. Taye Taiwo went away and came back so we had to look after him.

"There have been changes that we could not have foreseen. Most managers would tell you that a settled back four is a pre-requisite, but it's something we haven't been able to get.

"In the last couple of games we've tried to get a bit of continuity, but it has been difficult to get the same guys on the field of play."