Mark Hughes to solve a striking problem with Bobby Zamora bid

Shooting star: Fulham's Bobby Zamora in action against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
11 April 2012

New Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes is stepping up his bid to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.

Hughes wants to rebuild his attack around the 30-year-old, who he worked with at Craven Cottage last season.

QPR are one point above the relegation zone and have scored just 19 times in 20 Premier League games this season, the second-fewest total in the top-flight. The club's two summer signings, DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd, have contributed just three League goals between them.

Hughes said: "It is fair to say that certain areas need to be addressed. At Premier League level, the ability to take chances and score goals is crucial."

Zamora has scored six times this season despite being on the fringes of the Fulham squad and his strained relationship with manager Martin Jol could lead to him leaving.

Although the England international is not a prolific striker, Hughes appreciates how he improves team play and sets up chances for others.

Zamora is still hopeful of making it into England's squad for Euro 2012 and a regular starting place elsewhere will be appealing.

Tottenham had shown an interest in their former player, although they are now primarily looking at younger talent such as Marseille's Loic Remy.

QPR will face a fight to convince Fulham to sell Zamora, given the acrimony after Hughes quit the club last summer. Chairman Mohamed Fayed fiercely criticised him in October, saying he was "odd" and a "flop".

Hughes's first signing is likely to be Chelsea centre-half Alex, while bids have been made for Manchester City pair Wayne Bridge (on loan) and Nedum Onuoha.

Meanwhile, QPR chief executive Philip Beard expects the club to be at a new training ground within a year.

It is understood Rangers are close to agreeing a deal to build a new complex at the Warren Farm Sports Centre, near Osterley.

The club want a significant upgrade on their current base at Harlington, where Chelsea used to train before moving to Cobham in 2004.

While not confirming the venue for the new site, Beard said: "We have identified the land and I will be very disappointed if this time next year the team isn't at a new training ground.

"We are working with the right people and I will be very disappointed if it's not confirmed in the next couple of weeks. It will be a good location and it's not a million miles away from where we currently train.

"If you've been to Harlington, it is hard to impress players you're trying to bring into the club. Very shortly I will have pictures up of what the new one will look like when it is built."

Plans to build a 30,000 stadium are being progressed but they could face competition for land from Chelsea, who are looking to move from Stamford Bridge.

Beard added: "If we're going to build a new-style stadium, it has to be a multi-use arena. We are at very early stages. I can't talk about what other clubs want to do or are planning to do, I'm just focused on what QPR are trying to achieve."

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