Hogan Ephraim has made QPR’s Premier League squad at the third time of asking, but he’ll have a hard job usurping Esteban Granero from the team if former Real Madrid star Guti is to be believed.

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Ephraim was the highest profile casualty of the two squad announcements last season but has made the cut this year. Radek Cerny misses out in favour of Brian Murphy who will be the third choice goalkeeper behind Robert Green and Julio Cesar. Samba Diakite is included despite currently being on a leave of absence with unspecified personal issues.

As expected Rob Hulse, Luke Young and DJ Campbell all missed out, and London24 reports that Campbell will rejoin former club Blackpool on loan next week. Campbell almost made a permanent move back to Bloomfield Road prior to the transfer window closing on Friday but the Tangerines were put off by his wage demands.

QPR’s 25 man squad for the Premier League in full is as follows: Robert Green, Julio Cesar, Brian Murphy, Clint Hill, Armand Traore, Fabio Da Silva, Anton Ferdinand, Nedum Onuoha, Ryan Nelsen, Jose Bosingwa, Stephane M’Bia, Samba Diakite, Shaun Derry, Kieron Dyer, Ale Faurlin, Junior Hoilett, Hogan Ephraim, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Adel Taarabt, Jamie Mackie, Ji-Sung Park, Esteban Granero, Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse.

Players under the age of 21 do not have to be named in the squad so the likes of Michael Doughty, Max Ehmer and Michael Harriman – who all enjoyed promising pre-seasons – are still available for selection.

Granero made an impressive debut for the first team in Saturday’s defeat at Manchester City. The Spanish midfielder was named LFW Man of the Match at Eastlands and after the match former Real Madrid midfielder Guti told daily sports paper Marca that Jose Mourinho had made a mistake allowing the midfielder to leave while bringing in Chelsea’s Michael Essien on loan. Guti said: "There are things I do not understand in football and one is them is to bring Essien in to let Granero go. Granero is much better than him and he is Spanish. Right now the best players are Spanish. What happens is that more money is taken if it is a foreign player, it does not sit well with me. Having Khedira, Granero, Xabi Alonso and Modric, if they play three, do we need Lass or Essien? I don’t think so. It is my opinion and what I really think. That does not mean I am right, but it is what I say.”

Manager Mark Hughes was also full of praise for his newcomer, telling the club’s official website: “I thought Esteban Granero was excellent all day. I brought him off as a precaution as he hasn’t had a great deal of game-time recently. But he showed what a great player he’s going to be for us.

“I was encouraged by what I saw today – it’s progress from what we’ve produced so far this season. We were in the back yard of the champions and we pressed and imposed ourselves on a very, very good team. I’m pleased with that and it’s something that we can build on. Our shape was good in the first half and we were working hard, perhaps without affecting the game going the other way. But we addressed that in the second half. We really put a shift in and caused them problems. I thought we were in control of the game when we equalised. But it was body blow to concede so soon after. If we’d have maintained the position we were in, we could have caused them even more problems. I sensed there was a little bit of apprehension in the stadium and that was filtering through to them and we fed off that.

“In the end, I was disappointed that we conceded a third goal, but there are a lot of positives to take out of it.”

Hughes was also forced to answer questions on Moroccan star Adel Taarabt, who failed to even make the bench at Eastlands along with Armand Traore. He told the Fulham Chronicle: “We've got a lot of guys in the squad and everybody's fit at the moment so it's difficult to fit everybody on the bench. We had legislate for the fact that we had two guys in the middle of the park that might have to be changed, so I had to cover myself in that regard. Unfortunately they didn't make the bench but that's healthy because it shows we've got more strength in depth in the squad than we did last year.”

Hughes was less diplomatic about the future of goalkeeper Robert Green who is already being linked with a move away from the club just two months after first arriving from West Ham. The England international is certain to be replaced in the team by new arrival Julio Cesar after just four senior appearances but Hughes said his current number one’s feelings about the situation didn’t concern him and if he wanted to leave then he can.

Hughes told West London Sport: “That isn’t my concern, to be perfectly honest. That may well concern Rob, but from my point of view I’ve got to make sure that we’re strong as a club. If, in the future, either of the keepers came to me and felt their future lay elsewhere then we’d have a conversation about that and make a decision that we felt benefited everyone. But at the moment it’s early days and the challenge is there. Rob’s been a top keeper for many years and I’m sure he’s ready for the challenge.”

It seems that had Cesar not been available, Hughes would have signed former Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc instead. Boruc, released this summer by Serie A outfit Fiorentina, said: "I'm fit and available and a little bit surprised to be in this situation following two good seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina. I was offered an extension with Fiorentina but felt it was the right time for a change and have had several other offers which just didn't feel right at the time. I almost signed with QPR before Julio Cesar became available but despite that I am looking forward to my next challenge."

Back at Upton Park, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has already seemingly begun paving the way for Green to return. He told The Guardian:"He's a very experienced goalkeeper, an England international, so I don't think he'll worry too much about the competition from César. He won't be ready for the Premier League. They'll probably play him because of the size of the name but he won't have seen anything like the Premier League when it comes in and at him. "I know he's been at a top club for many, many years but this league is different to what he's used to playing in and that takes some adjusting to. Rob's proven he's one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League over the last nine or ten years. He's at the prime time of his career. For a goalkeeper just into his 30s that is the most golden moment, I suppose, or should be because you know all about the goalkeeping, you know all about the pressure, you know all about the demands and the level of football and consistency you've got to hit. It's all there, locked into the brain ready to use. He's at his peak. His fitness levels are brilliant, he works hard on the training ground. He tries to get better all the time and not rest on his laurels."

Expect January rumours to start early on that one.

Hughes’ other problem child Joey Barton left the club on deadline day to sign a season loan loan deal at Marseille. Barton was quoted on France’s goal.com saying: "I must repair the damage I have caused. I was stupid on several occasions in England. I want to show my qualities. But I'm a good guy. Those who know me know that I'm not a bad person. I hope they will judge me correctly.”

But his attempts to get the French press and supporters onside early were torpedoed by Ousmane Dabo, the French midfielder he beat unconscious in a training ground incident at Manchester City for which he received a suspended prison sentence. Dabo told the Evening Standard: “He says he is a man, a bad boy, but he is just a coward. When he knees Aguero in the back, he does it from behind — I do not call that a man. He is nasty, a traitor. Sometimes I get the impression we have rolled out the red carpet for him. I speak to remind people that Barton is a very violent player, far from the image he tries to portray since arriving at Marseille. We condemned Jeremy Menez, Samir Nasri and Yann M’Vila for little things and then the French media is very forgiving with someone who has committed horrible things, as recently as May. No one wanted him in England - that means there is probably a reason.”

No game this week oweing to a round of World Cup qualifiers. Fans looking for a QPR fix of some sort may like to try Scotland v Serbia at Hampden Park on Saturday where Jamie Mackie is expected to play some part. Mackie told the Daily Record he’s keen to be given a chance to show what he can do down the middle, rather than in wide areas where he is utilised most often for club and country.

He said: “I’m having this constant battle the whole time as I play a lot out wide for QPR and I’ve had discussions with the manager there about my best position being right down the middle. I know the competition here – as it is at my club – is very competitive but I feel that’s my best position. I’ve played in a three a lot and I really enjoy it so I haven’t really got a problem with it. I’ll play anywhere to do well. But I do feel my strongest position is down the middle. “I would love the chance to play up front but it’s not about me – it’s about what’s best for the squad. I’m sure this week we’ll have a discussion and see where I fit in and where he feels I’m best for him. Every manager will have a different view and I’m fully prepared to play where I’m asked to.”

Julio Cesar was not included in the Brazilian squad for their forthcoming friendly games with South Africa and China. As hosts in 2014 they do not need to qualify for the tournament.

Back at QPR the new Under 21 team – which contains a quota of over age players as well – won 4-1 at Cardiff City on Monday night with two goals from Rob Hulse and one each from Taylor Parmenter and Mo Sharif.

The game saw a debut in defence for 18-year-old Sam Magri who moved to Rangers on deadline day from cash strapped Portsmouth.

Youth team coach Marc Bircham said: "I have seen Sam play quite a few times and he is a player of potential. He is an excellent addition for us. His arrival is an example of what we are trying to do as a football club. The first team are working hard to raise the standard of their squad and we are doing the same at academy level. Sam enjoys the art of defending but he is also comfortable on the ball and I think every modern day centre back needs to have that now. There were a number of clubs in England interested in Sam so the fact he has come here shows how QPR is looked upon now by players at other teams.”

Cardiff: Elliot Parish, Kevin Sainte-Luce, Declan John, Theo Wharton, Dekel Keinan (Ben Watkins, 89), Adedeji Oshilaja, Kane Owen (Curtis Watkins, 76), Joe Ralls, Jesse Darko, Nat Jarvis, Craig Conway.

Subs: Yora Enzam, Thomas Burridge, Cameron Clarke

QPR: Aaron Lennox, Sam Magri, Mike Harriman, Fred Champion, Taylor Parmenter, Max Ehmer, Mo Sharif, Frankie Sutherland, Rob Hulse (Troy Hewlitt, 69), Tom Hitchcock (Angelo Balanta, 65), Bruno Andrade

Subs: Jamie Sendles-White, Brad Simmonds, Tomasso Tranni

The academy boys will continue to be taught by the best after the club confirmed this week that modern day Rangers legend Paul Furlong would be given a permanent coaching position within the youth set up. He has been named assistant youth development coach and will assist players aged between 12 and 16 with coaching, pastoral and sports science support.

He’s joined in a rapidly expanding staff by former Rotherham defender and Barnsley coach Nick Daws who has been named assistant professional development coach. He will work with Steve Gallen and the Under 18s as they prepare for transition to the new Elite Development Under 21 squad.

Finally, QPR’s third round League Cup tie with Premier League new boys Reading has been confirmed for Wednesday September 26 with a 7.45pm kick off at Loftus Road. Adult tickets are £15 with a £5 discount for season ticket holders.

Loan Watch

Striker Jay Bothroyd has been speaking about his time at QPR, following a deadline day loan move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday where he will again link up with his former Cardiff City boss Dave Jones.

Bothroyd told the Sheffield Telegraph: “As a footballer you always want to improve. I probably lost my confidence a bit at QPR. I didn’t get many opportunities at QPR. I came here to get more.” But he does not necessarily see it as an end to his Loftus Road career. I’m on loan until January. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I’m contracted to QPR. But I’m happy to be here. I can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to be playing again. All I can do is work hard, enjoy my football and see what happens.

“I suppose the gaffer wants to make this team like Cardiff was: competing at the top end consistently. They definitely have the infrastructure here to do that. He hasn’t been here long, but he’s come a long way in that short time.”

Former R’s

QPR fans wanting to roll back the years could do worse than follow League One side Leyton Orient for the next few months. Following the acquisition of Lee Cook at the start of last week, manager Russell Slade made a deadline day move to add Martin Rowlands to his midfield as well initially on a short term one month contract. Rowlands, who was with QPR from 2003 to 2012 but suffered two serious knee ligament injuries towards the end of his time with the club, made nine appearances and scored two goals for Colchester in League One in the second half of last season. He came off the bench in the 5-0 cup set back at Everton last week then started for the first time in a 1-0 defeat at Crawley on Saturday.

Clarke Carlisle, a former team mate of both Cook and Rowlands at Loftus Road, has added another club to his growing career list by signing for League Two new comers York City. Carlisle made 44 appearances last season spread equally between League One Preston and bottom division Northampton but is more familiar to football fans these days for his media work with Sky Sports and other broadcasters.

Carlisle told the York Press that he would continue with his off field activities as long as they didn’t interfere with his game. He said: “I’ve had a word with the manager because one of the biggest things for current professionals is formulating an exit strategy. I’m doing that presently and, as long as it does not impede on my training and playing commitments, the manager has agreed that I can continue doing one or two things.”

The former Blackpool centre half came through 90 minutes in a 3-1 win against high flying Oxford on his Bootham Crescent debut at the weekend.

Damien Delaney was another deadline day mover – joining Crystal Palace from Ipswich on a free transfer. He started in The Eagles’ weekend win against Sheffield Wednesday and manager Dougie Freedman, himself a former QPR player, said: “I’ve been after Damien for the last two years. We’ve got to look at a short-term deal because we’ve got to look to balance the books. You’ve seen on Saturday that with that bit of loving they could turn out to be good players for us.”

Finally, Gareth Deane has signed for Linfield in his native Northern Ireland after being released from QPR’s junior ranks during the summer.

Premiership Shorts

- The transfer deadline may have passed, but there are still one or two high profile free agents knocking around and today Stoke moved to secure the signature of Michael Owen.

- And transfer windows remain open in other parts of Europe, which means Turkish side Fenerbahce have been able to sign Raul Meireles for £8m from Chelsea.

- A rare piece of good news for Tottenham amidst a difficult start to their Premier League season: midfielder Tom Huddlestone will not face a suspension for his red card against Norwich at the weekend after the club successfully appealed the decision by referee Mark Halsey.

- Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will serve a two match touchline ban for pushing a linesman during his side’s opening day victory against Spurs.

- New Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov says of his departure from Man Utd: “"I said goodbye to the people who deserve it, I couldn't say goodbye to Ferguson. I know he's the boss but he has lost, to some extent, my respect because of the way he treated me. I went probably 15 times to ask the coach if he needed me. Every time I was told that I'm an important player and should not leave but then again I was not in the team. Maybe I should have gone when he left me out of the squad for the Champions League final."

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TacticalR added 01:03 - Sep 5 I think Guti has a point - the Granero move is a bit strange from a Madrid perspective. However, as Essien is a true defensive midfielder, perhaps Mourinho feels he is more what's needed, especially in Champions League games. I don't think Hughes should slight Green, regardless of whether he is going to be here in January or not. He has come to QPR in good faith, and even if he's suddenly become second in the pecking order he should still be treated with courtesy. Plus there's the fact that it's often the biggest signings who have let us down, so there might still be a role for Green at QPR. I'm over the moon that someone else has to worry about Barton's antics bringing disgrace on their club. I can only assume we must have made a major contribution to Marseille's stadium-building fund to take him off our hands.

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ozexile added 07:11 - Sep 5 Can someone sit Hughes down with a copy of the game against Man City cause he watched a different one to me.
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DesertBoot added 08:58 - Sep 5 Well you'd have to say that's a pretty impressive squad of players. It's up to Hughes and his entourage now to transform us into a very good team. I worry about our defence and the fact Man City fans highlighted Hughes' defensive defeciencies over the weekend. Maybe Onouha or reluctant child M'Bia alongside Nelsen is the answer. Over to you Mr Manager.
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RangerKIK added 16:34 - Sep 5 That is a really good squad. Very exciting. I just hope that Adel is still a first choice for MH at home. (Although I would play him always!) When I initially saw he wasn't in the squad Sat I presumed he had picked up a knock during the week. Would be a real shame if MH only sees him as a bit part player this season.
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BeauRanger added 13:02 - Sep 6 Mark Hughes has been given backing by the board & now probably has the best opportunity for a QPR manager for years to progress. It's all down to him & the coaches now to set up the team & get them performing, work out his best team & tactics. Stopping the comedy defending would be a start..
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MTG added 07:23 - Sep 7 Hi Clive, With all the comings & going's of the transfer window will you be writing a piece on Tommy Smith like you have on most departed players?
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JB007007 added 10:35 - Sep 7 Looking forward to seeing more of Granero, early signs are good though. The squad looks far stronger than 12 months ago and we have replaced the outgoing players with better quality. I'm sure over the next few weeks the team and squad will settle. My concerns are defensively though. We concede too many scoring chances and in the premier league decent strikers put them away whether its Rob Green or Julio Cesar between the sticks. MH needs to find a defensive unit within the squad and stick to it game in game out to build continuity and confidence. I'm really please Paul Furlong is back at the club in this capacity. A great bloke and QPR hero.

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