Ramsey: Tough to keep Austin

Posted Friday, May 22, 2015 by Foxsports.com

QPR manager Chris Ramsey says he is resigned to losing Charlie Austin but he still wants the striker to stay at Loftus Road.

Ramsey says QPR will find it difficult to keep Austin, who has been called up into the England squad for the friendly with the Republic of Ireland and the European Qualifier against Slovenia next month, at the club next season.

Southampton, Newcastle and Tottenham are reportedly keen on signing the 25-year-old who has made a huge impact in his first Premier League season, although his 17 goals were not enough to stop QPR being relegated from the top flight.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday's game at Leicester, Ramsey said: "I think that it will be difficult to keep hold of him.

"Goalscorers are the people that everybody wants at the end of any season but I am hoping he stays, but it would be naive of me to say that for sure he is going to be here.

"He won't go with my blessing, I want him to stay but whatever happens you have look that people have careers and journeys that they are on. They have ambitions that they want to fill. I'm sure Charlie will consider all that when he makes a decision."

Ramsey says it is vital that QPR have a long term strategy in place as they look to bounce back following relegation from the Premier League.

The 53-year-old, who took over an interim basis following Harry Redknapp's shock resignation, was handed a three-year deal this week after QPR decided he is the right man to spearhead the club's bid to return to the Premier League.

Ramsey, said: "We have to make sure we have a long-term plan in place and the club gets on steady footing, before we start launching an attack to get back in the Premier League.

"What we have to do as a club is realise that there is going to be a period of consolidation and during that time if we end up back in the Premier League - then fantastic. If we don't then we still have to make sure that the club has a long-term future and that everything stays within the margins of putting the club on a stable footing."

The QPR boss is calling on his relegated team to put in one final effort against Leicester to avoid finishing bottom of the Premier League.

He added: "The players need to respect the shirt, show pride and put a shift in. We don't want to come bottom of the Premier League

"We have got another game to play. We want the players to go out and show what they can do.

"I'm sure there will be some youth on show on Sunday, for both teams, Leicester have achieved a fantastic feat and I'm sure they will want to finish on a positive note.

"We'll be leaving Robert Green out as we'll be taking every precaution with his concussion and Steven Caulker has shown a lot of bravery to play with an injury. He's put in a shift despite the broken hand."