Exclusive: QPR tipped to launch Southampton transfer move in January | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has given his verdict on whether QPR should make another move for Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards in January.

Pundit Lee Hendrie believes Queens Park Rangers should reignite their interest in Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards in the January transfer window.

Edwards joined Southampton from League One side Peterborough United for an initial fee of £3 million last summer, but after struggling for minutes in the Premier League in the first half of last season, he joined QPR on loan in January.

The 22-year-old quickly became an integral part of the R's side as he helped them pull away from the relegation zone, and in addition to helping to add solidity to their defence, he also chipped in with two goals in 22 appearances, impressing in both central defence and an unfamiliar defensive midfield role.

Edwards returned to St Mary's this summer after his temporary spell at Loftus Road came to an end, and he started for the Saints in their 2-1 win over Wrexham on the opening weekend, but he has played just two minutes of football in the league for Will Still's side since, with Jack Stephens, Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis all seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.

QPR had an offer rejected by Southampton for Edwards last week, and while negotiations continued until the final stages of the transfer window over a potential deal for the defender, who was believed to be keen to return to West London, the two clubs were unable to reach an agreement.

Lee Hendrie reacts as QPR miss out on Ronnie Edwards, Southampton deal

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie revealed that Edwards is a player he has always rated highly, and he claimed that, after failing to secure a deal this summer, QPR should make another move for the Southampton man in January.

"I think they should do," Hendrie said.

"I've always been impressed with Ronnie Edwards.

"I think missing out on him, whether there was more to it, I don't quite know.

"I certainly think they will regain interest come the January transfer window, and that will be coming around very shortly."

Ronnie Edwards transfer stance should encourage QPR ahead of January transfer window

It is fair to say it has been a turbulent start to the season for QPR under new head coach Julian Stephan, with the R's conceding 11 goals in their first four league games, including seven in the humiliating defeat at Coventry City, so it is easy to see why they were keen to bring Edwards back to the club to help shore up their leaky defence.

It was always going to be tough for the Hoops to convince Southampton to sell a player of Edwards' potential, particularly as he could be worth significantly more in a few years, but it seems unlikely he will be a starter for the Saints this season, so they should perhaps have allowed him to return to Loftus Road on loan.

While the R's were unable to get a deal over the line, Edwards was reportedly keen to re-join the club this summer, and that should give them plenty of encouragement ahead of the January transfer window as they weigh up whether to reignite their interest in their former loanee once again.