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QPR have been urged to complete a move for Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards in the January transfer window.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards could leave Tonda Eckert's side in the January transfer window amid a lack of game time for the 22-year-old.

Edwards has not started for the Saints since being named in the lineup for a 2-0 home defeat to Preston North End on 1 November.

The centre-back, who has represented England at Under-20 and Under-19 level, previously performed well while on loan with QPR last season.

R's boss, Julien Stephan, is now keen to utilise the January transfer window to propel the West London side towards the Championship playoff spots.

Stephan's men moved to just three points adrift of the top six by beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 on Sunday, thanks to Rumarn Burrell's goal and substitute Rayan Kolli's brace.

QPR told to prioritise Ronnie Edwards swoop amid lack of Southampton minutes

Edwards has been unable to beat the likes of Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis to a place in Eckert's Southampton team, but he was a major asset for QPR while on loan from the Saints during the second half of last season.

There was plenty of chatter regarding a potential return to Loftus Road back in the summer and while a move didn't get anywhere, QPR have been urged to bring Edwards back this month.

When asked if the West Londoners should prioritise a move for the 22-year-old this January, Football League World's R's fan pundit, Louis Moir said: "I wouldn't be surprised if the club have already made some sort of offer to Southampton for Ronnie Edwards. It seemingly was so close to being done in the summer last year, and obviously it seems like Southampton are not budging when it comes to the valuation.

"It's frustrating, because it sounds like Edwards wants to be a QPR player, he wants to come back. What we could do with him back in the squad, it would be amazing. He's clearly one of the best loan signings we've ever made. He was just honestly so good last season.

"He's not even getting on the Southampton bench. He surely has to be a QPR player this month, whether that's a loan, permanent, (or) on loan with a view to a permanent (deal) in the summer.

"I think it has to be classed as a priority, because Steve Cook's not getting any younger, (Jake) Clarke-Salter's out injured again, Liam Morrison got injured in the warm-up at home to Sheffield Wednesday. He seems another injury-prone type. It leaves us quite light at the back.

"If Edwards was to come back, he slots straight back in really, doesn't' he? With Jimmy Dunne and him as the pairing, you'd imagine. We need to just do all we can to make it happen.

"Hopefully he comes back, because he is a top player and would make a massive difference to us at the back, because we don't really have many clean sheets, and we concede quite a few goals.

"Having him would not only help defensively, but as mad as it sounds, attacking wise as well, because the moves he started last season coming out from the back, playing really good on the ball. It would change the transition of the team, I think, so I'm praying he's a QPR player this month."

"I don't care how, if it's permanent or a loan, he needs to come back."

QPR have the opportunity to prove Southampton wrong with Ronnie Edwards swoop

As outlined by Louis, Edwards is drastically out of favour at Southampton, and has not been named in a matchday squad for the Saints since he was an unused substitute against Norwich City on 13 December.

Meanwhile, the R's sit five points above Eckert's side in the race for a Championship playoff spot, while any deal for the England youth international would bolster their top-six credentials.

Should QPR sign Edwards and consequently finish above Southampton in the second tier, they would prove the Hampshire side wrong for their management of the defender.

He was a class act for the R's last term, displaying the same quality he showed throughout his stint with former club Peterborough United.