Triumphant QPR close to adding Benayoun for promotion charge
QUEENS Park Rangers climbed to second in the Championship with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth last night and are close to bolstering their ranks with the signing of midfielder Yossi Benayoun on an 18-month deal.
The 33-year-old has been a free agent since his release by Chelsea last summer and has recently been training with the R’s.
Benayoun moved to England in 2005 when he signed for West Ham from Racing Santander for £2.5m, and had been linked with a return to Spain to join La Liga strugglers Malaga, but boss Harry Redknapp has persuaded the Israeli to join his promotion charge.
Goals from Charlie Austin, Junior Hoilett and Matt Phillips moved QPR level on points with Championship leaders Leicester, who lost 2-1 at managerless Sheffield Wednesday.
Meanwhile, third placed Burnley drew 0-0 at home to Watford, but Redknapp has urged his players to stay focused on their own results.
“We’ve just got to keep picking up results and take one game at a time,” he said. “We deserved the win and it was a good all round performance.
“Nobody’s getting carried away, there’s a long way to go.”