Exclusive: David Prutton drops claim on Ilias Chair's QPR future | OneFootball

David Prutton has given his verdict on whether QPR midfielder Ilias Chair will leave Loftus Road this summer.

Pundit David Prutton has questioned whether Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ilias Chair will be on the radar of other clubs this summer after an underwhelming season.

After a poor start to last season under Gareth Ainsworth, Chair was QPR's driving force as they secured safety under Marti Cifuentes, scoring an impressive seven goals and providing eight assists in 44 appearances.

The R's were widely tipped to climb the Championship table this season, but they have not fared as well as many expected, and having flirted with relegation at various points throughout the campaign, they currently sit 15th and are set for a mid-table finish.

Chair has also had a much quieter year by his own high standards, but the 27-year-old has had three separate spells on the sidelines with injury, and having been absent since picking up a hamstring problem in the defeat at Middlesbrough last month, it is uncertain whether he will return before the end of the season.

The Morocco international has been linked with the likes of Leeds United, Leicester City and Birmingham City in recent years, but he signed a new long-term contract at Loftus Road in January, which is a big boost for the Hoops ahead of the summer transfer window.

David Prutton on Ilias Chair's QPR future

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton said Chair may feel that it is the right time to leave QPR after another disappointing season for the West London outfit, but he questioned whether the midfielder's inconsistency could see him miss out on a move.

"QPR have gone in fits and starts under Marti Cifuentes, and I think that reflects what Ilias Chair has done with his form," Prutton said.

"He's quite capable of winning a football match and affecting a football match, he's a really skilful player for QPR, and he's possibly been their focal point from a creative point of view for several seasons now.

"There is plenty to like about him, but it's just been a season where, at times, he's looked set to burst into action, but he's flattered to deceive.

"Sometimes players and clubs come to a crossroads where they've enjoyed each other's company, but it's time to part and move on.

"We'll soon see if that is going to be the case with him.

"It's been another middling season for QPR which could have been disastrous, but it turned out okay."

QPR may still have lingering Ilias Chair fear ahead of summer window

Injuries have severely disrupted Chair's season, but Prutton is right that he has struggled to deliver consistently this campaign.

Chair looked as though he may be getting back to his creative best during QPR's rise up the table between December and February, but he has been unable to reach the same heights as in previous seasons, and both of his two goals came in the 4-0 demolition of Derby County in February.

In Chair's defence, he is far from the only R's player to underperform in a season that has not been as successful as many supporters hoped, but the midfielder will certainly be disappointed by his lack of goals.

Chair has proven his quality at Championship level over the years, so his decline in form may not deter his suitors from making a move for him in the summer, but having only signed a new long-term contract at Loftus Road in January, it seems highly unlikely that the Hoops would even consider selling him.