QPR must launch Sunderland transfer raid - it would solve key problem | OneFootball

With Rhys Norrington-Davies set to return to Sheffield United, QPR should move for Dennis Cirkin in the summer to replace him

QPR are set to begin their 12th consecutive season in the Championship in August, but with certain expectations that haven't been at Loftus Road for quite a few years.

Indeed, QPR have had a few close shaves with relegation in the past few years, but a forward-thinking summer window last year, backed up with a marquee arrival in Ronnie Edwards in January, has indicated that the Hoops aren't willing to be lost in the mid-table shuffle anymore.

With the play-offs expanding to six teams next season, Julien Stephan's side will definitely see themselves as one capable of finishing in the top eight, but the right decisions will still need to be made in the upcoming offseason to ensure that happens.

The main focus will be on improving the goalkeeper. The R's have one of the worst goals against records in the second tier, and that's mainly due to the man between the sticks. But there's also expected to be some defensive churn, too.

QPR should target Dennis Cirkin this summer to replace the outgoing Rhys Norrington-Davies

One position in the backline which will need immediate seeing to is left-back, as Rhys Norrington-Davies will be returning to Sheffield United at the culmination of his loan spell.

The 15-capped Welsh international has been the main option for Julien Stephan on the left side as the season has gone on, and Norrington-Davies himself has enjoyed more minutes at Loftus Road this season than he has in each of his four years at Bramall Lane before the move, owing mainly to an injury-free year.

The Sheffield Star reported last month that Norrington-Davies' Sheffield United future is uncertain, as Chris Wilder prepares to trim his squad down significantly, and any fees the Blades can recoup for squad players such as the 27-year-old will help battle against any financial worries that may present due to the absence of parachute payments next season.

But, if the Hoops decide against paying a fee for the left-back, they should be looking towards the side that beat Sheffield United in the play-off final last season, Sunderland, and take the left-back who started in that Wembley triumph, Dennis Cirkin.

The 24-year-old has been one of the many promotion heroes who have had gametime cut due to the demands to improve the squad ahead of a Premier League campaign.

Granted, he missed the early stages of the current season due to injury, and did get a decent run out in January, but new arrival Reinildo took his place back from Cirkin after he returned from AFCON duties with Mozambique.

Even recently, Trai Hume has been called upon to deputise at left-back ahead of Cirkin, which outlines that his time at the Stadium of Light may be coming to a close, especially with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

If he does leave for free, you can imagine that there'll be plenty of Championship sides who want to push towards being a play-off side, lining up to take his services, and QPR will be among them, especially if they find themselves in need of a left-back this summer.

Dennis Cirkin still has Premier League potential, which can be realised at QPR

Veteran centre-back Steve Cook is set to leave QPR at the end of the season, and with the club stating that they were "looking to the future" for the final team selections, that indicates that they may be looking at bringing in some more young stars with high potential this summer, similarly to how they attacked the market last season for attacking players.

If so, Cirkin would fit that bill perfectly. He only just turned 24 in April, and can play a big part in a side pushing for promotion, as seen last season. If Sunderland didn't go up through the play-offs last year, you can imagine that he'd be lining up regularly at the Stadium of Light still.

He'd arguably be an upgrade on Norrington-Davies, too, given his age, and there's a case to be made that, even if there's a possibility that the Welshman can extend his stay at Loftus Road past this season, the Hoops should be looking at Cirkin over him, or at least as well as him.

With the potential to be a Premier League regular, these are the players that QPR need to be targeting as they look to build towards ending their 11-year exile from the top flight.