Harry Redknapp: 'Charlie Austin can fire Queens Park Rangers to safety'

Harry Redknapp has admitted that Queens Park Rangers' survival hopes this season hinge on striker Charlie Austin.

The 25-year-old's form has been the only constant in an otherwise inconsistent first season back in the Premier League for QPR, with Austin netting seven times so far.

"Do we need to stay up to keep him? Staying up will be very important," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "He's happy here and he wants to play in the Premier League now.

"He's had a taste of it and once you play in the Premier League you want to stay there. If he can go and get 20 goals this year that will help us do that."

Rangers, who are yet to record back-to-back wins this season, sit 19th in the table ahead of facing 18th-placed Burnley at Loftus Road this afternoon.