Monday 22 December 2014 07:08, UK
QPR manager Harry Redknapp says he is ready to fight off any January bids from other clubs for star striker Charlie Austin.
Austin scored a hat-trick to seal a 3-2 victory over West Brom on Saturday and the QPR boss is desperate to hang on to his prize asset as the club look to stay in the Premier League.
Reports last week suggested the striker had turned down a new deal at the club but Redknapp is adamant there is no chance of the England hopeful being sold in the transfer window.
"If we sold Charlie Austin we might as well go home, you know what I mean," said the Hoops boss.
"He's here. We need Charlie to keep doing what he's doing and he can't afford to take his foot off the gas. I'm not saying he will do it but there's nothing to top him going on and having a fantastic season. His target would be around 20 goals now with the way he's going at the moment. It's not impossible.
If we sold Charlie Austin we might as well go home, you know what I mean.
"He's a goalscorer. He wants to score. He works hard, he's got a great attitude. He isn't a minute's problem. There is no side to him - he ain't lairy and gets on with it. He's a lovely boy who's been to work for a living and is now playing Premier League football.
"Goalscorers find a yard of space. It's a knack - he's in the right place at the right time. If you score 20 goals in the Championship this year you'll score in the Premier League. It's not rocket science, it's that knack that people have
got - they've been scoring goals since they were kids."
Austin's strike partner Bobby Zamora has also warning that the club need to tie the former Burnley man down to a new contract sooner rather than later.
"He's got 18 months on his deal," Zamora said.
"I think the club should be offering him something now because with the form he's in, I don't think it'll be long before some big clubs make an offer and he may want to take that chance. For us, we need to keep hold of him.
"Chaz is a great asset for us and, fingers crossed, he can continue his form. He's a great finisher with a great work ethic."
