No promises can be made over Ilias Chair’s QPR future

BY MOHAMUD AHMED

QPR head coach Neil Critchley says he can’t make any promises that Ilias Chair will not leave in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old playmaker has four goals and six assists in 24 matches this season.

Chair was part of Morocco’s squad at the World Cup finals in Qatar and made his international debut in their 2-1 loss to Croatia in the third-place play-off.

Critchley said: “Do we want him here? Of course, we do. Do we love having him here? Yes.

“I’ve been nothing but impressed with him as a player, he’s really humble and down to earth and loves football.

“No I can never guarantee that [Chair will definitely stay at the club]. I would be foolish to do that.

“I hope he remains a QPR player, but I can’t obviously guarantee that.”

This is Critchley’s first transfer window after recently replacing Mick Beale, who quit the west Londoners for a return to Rangers.

“If we had the opportunity to bring someone in, that we think will make a difference to the squad, then yeah, I think we have the backing and the support to do that,” said the former Blackpool manager.

“But if you look at the players on the pitch [in Monday’s 1-1 draw against Sheffield United], I think we have some good players too.

“I always work with the players at my disposal but if a player is available that will help, why would we not do that?

“After these four weeks, I know more about the players and where we are as a group and what we might be able to do during January to help us improve.”

PICTURE: ROB AVIS