New QPR boss tipped to move for Martin and Ward

Steve McClaren has been tipped to sign Derby County striker Chris Martin (pictured) and Nottingham Forest forward Jamie Ward for QPR.

Both players played under McClaren at Derby and have been linked with moves to Loftus Road following McClaren’s appointment as R’s boss.

Ward, 32, joined Forest from Derby in 2015 and has been out of the first-team picture at the City Ground for some time.

He joined Cardiff City on loan in January but made just four appearances for the Welsh side, with two of those coming as a substitute.

Martin, 29, has been out of favour at Derby – he spent last season on loan at Fulham and the second half of this term on loan at Reading.

The Mirror say McClaren is looking to snap up Martin for £500,000 and also has Ward in his sights.

McClaren said last week he expects money to be tight at Rangers.

He told Sky Sports: “Every job is a coaching job – developing and making players better – but especially here where the budget’s not so big. Money’s tight.

“The academy has produced players. They’ve been given a chance and now they need developing and encouraging

“The owner, the board and management have done well over the last two years, got the budget down and encouraged young players to come through.

“They’ve been a breath of fresh air, the youngsters coming through, and we as a club ought to build on that.”