QPR captain Martin Rowlands joined the rest of the first team on the first day of pre-season training at Harlington today, almost nine months after rupturing knee ligaments while on international duty.
Now aged 31 and having only played seven times for the QPR first team in the last 18 months after suffering two ruptured knee ligaments the new season is certainly a big one for captain Martin Rowlands. His comeback from the first rupture, suffered at Derby in January 2009, was cut short by suffering the same injury on duty for the Republic of Ireland in October.
Rowlands joined in full training for the first time since then today as Neil Warnock welcomed his side back for the first day of pre-season ahead of the big kick off on August 7. He told the BBC: “The knee is okay and I'm pleased with how it's going. I'm able to join in with everything - the usual pre-season fitness training. And I'm looking to get back into full contract training by the end of July. It's been really frustrating and disappointing, but now I'm just looking forward to getting back. The progress I've made means I can have a full pre-season, which is really important.
“It's up to me to show that I'm worth a place in his team. He's signed a few players and I'm sure will sign a few more, which is a good thing. I think we can really have a crack at it this season and am looking forward to it.”
As well as new signings Jamie Mackie, Leon Clarke, Paddy Kenny, Clint Hill and Shaun Derry all training with the QPR side for the first time there were some unfamiliar faces on the coaching staff as well. Former Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson has arrived as reserve team coach and former Oldham player Carl Serrant is the new fitness coach at Loftus Road. Jepson’s reserve side will not play in the Combination next season but will be in regular behind closed doors action, while Serrant will hope to address the noticeable weight gain and poor fitness levels across the QPR squad following the departure of John Harbin last summer.
Neil Warnock told the club’s official website: “I am really pleased. Ronnie's knowledge is vast, and I really like the way he handles himself. He is very professional in his approach and is the type of person I want. I like the way he deals with people. I am going to be leaving pros out of my squad and they're going to be disappointed to be with the reserves. So it's not an easy job for Ronnie, but I know he can deal with that situation very well. And Ronnie will say to me, 'I thought this lad did well last week gaffer, you might want to consider him for the bench.' It's important to have that sort of good, working relationship.
"Carl is a lad who I always felt had the ability to become one of the top fitness guys in the country. He's very diligent in what he does and is a great guy to have around the place. He's enthusiastic, he wants to do well and he wants to be the best. We will reap the benefits of that. During pre-season Carl, if anything, tries to calm me down. He has all these modern techniques and wires across the players' chests. He'll be telling me, 'That's it now boss, they can't do any more.' And I'll say: 'Carl, I'm telling you - they can!' We have disagreements every now and again, but it's healthy to have that."
One man not at Harlington today was right winger Jobi McAnuff. The Reading man is said to be a transfer target of QPR’s this summer but his manager Brian McDermott denied all knowledge of an alleged £1.5m bid earlier this week and McAnuff says he is in the dark as well. The 28 year old told the Reading Chronicle: “"I don't know too much about that, I've heard nothing from anybody. I'm expecting to go into training as normal so from my point of view it is nothing but a rumour. I don't know the ins and outs of the story, but I'm sure I'll be filled in if there's any truth in it."
In former QPR news today our one time loanee, during the 2004/05 Ian Holloway led season, Frankie Simek has joined League One side Carlisle following his release from Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season.
Elsewhere in the Championship today transfer activity has really started to kick into gear: one time Stockport and Derby target man Leon Dickinson has joined Barnsley from Brighton on a two year deal; former Harrow Borough winger Albert Adomah has signed for Bristol Coity from league Two side Barnet while Jamie McCombe has left Ashton Gate and signed a three year contract at Huddersfield Town; Watford have signed keeper Rene Gilmartin from Walsall and Carlisle defende Tom Aldred with both fees to be decided by tribunal; Neil Mellor will spend the whole of next season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday after being transfer listed by Preston and Stoke defender Andy Griffin has signed for Reading.
Elsewhere Burnley have pulled out of a deal to sign Andrew Driver from Hearts after being priced out of the transfer – Hearts are looking for £3.5m – and Leeds have warned Leicester off their manager Simon Grayson. Paulo Sousa and Phil Brown are the other names said to be in the running.