Les Ferdinand: 'Charlie Austin could leave Queens Park Rangers'

Director of football Les Ferdinand has conceded that Queens Park Rangers could lose the services of Charlie Austin during next month's transfer window.

When asked about his future last week, the 26-year-old insisted that he will remain at Loftus Road until the end of the season, when his contract is due to expire.

However, Ferdinand has admitted that if one of the big Premier League clubs came calling, Austin might be tempted away.

"I'm realistic and sometimes that gets people upset, but there are teams in the top six of the Premier League that are struggling," the London Evening Standard quotes the QPR official as saying.

"If one of those teams come in and bid for Charlie, he will want to go because that's where he sees himself. Charlie's goals per game ratio is up there with the best in the country."

Despite having suffered with injuries this term, Austin has scored 10 goals in the Championship.