The firm transfer stance QPR must have with Lyndon Dykes and Sinclair Armstrong: View | OneFootball

Highlights

QPR fans are starting to properly believe that Marti Cifuentes will keep them up after a dismal first half of the season under Gareth Ainsworth - though it could well see them take a different route next season in terms of strike force.

The R's began the season horrendously and won just two of their opening 17 games in the league, including a run of four goals in 10 games before Ainsworth was given his marching orders. Since then, Cifuentes has done an impressive turnaround job; just eight losses since November 1st has seen them jump outside of the relegation zone.

There are a few players they should thank for their strong second half of the campaign; but one more than others could pose a real problem in the future - Sinclair Armstrong.

Lyndon Dykes was a relatively risky signing by Rangers bosses when he joined the Loftus Road outfit back in 2020 from Scottish Premiership outfit Livingston; especially having only scored nine goals in just 25 league games for the Lions in the season prior.

But there is an argument to be made it paid off almost in the form of a productive first few years in West London. Dykes notched 12 Championship goals in his first season for the club, which saw him find his way into the Scotland team for the Euros and in the two following seasons, Dykes notched eight goals in the Championship in consecutive seasons.

QPR only just survived the drop last season following a superb start under Michael Beale - though a shambolic second half of the season saw them win just four games after the end of October under Gareth Ainsworth - and with that in mind, service has inevitably been tough for Dykes to pounce on.

It hasn't been the easiest year for the Australia-born star to contend with, but Armstrong's performances and Dykes' lack of goals could well mark the start of a new era at QPR. With two years left on Dykes' contract, there could be a sizeable fee to be had by selling him despite his poor run of form. And with Armstrong being eight years younger, there is more to work with in that regard thanks to his high ceiling.

How Sinclair Armstrong is improving week upon week at Loftus Road

Armstrong came into the fold last season with a hatful of appearances at the start of the season, but it was pacy, powerful performances towards the end of the season against teams such as eventual champions Burnley that perked the ears of many a Championship fan. Armstrong is physically above the majority of Championship players due to his stocky frame and raw pace - all he needs to do is put that into practice with goals and assists to his name.

So far this season, it's three goals and three assists to his name, which isn't an awful tally - especially with all three of his strikes proving to be winners against Cardiff, Leicester and Millwall. At just 20 years of age, he's a superb talent picked up by the R's and with Dykes struggling this term, the club's stance on either player should be different.

Dykes has been linked with moves away from QPR in the past - with reported interest from clubs in England and north of the border.

Both Celtic and Rangers were said to be interested given his previous stints in Scotland and his proficiency for the national team, whilst Stoke have also been linked in the past - though any move taking him to the Bet365 Stadium could massively hinge on how successful QPR and Stoke's survival bids from the Championship are come the start of May.

While Dykes is still a useful player to have at second tier level and could be even more effective if they drop into League One, his contract status makes this summer a good time for the R's to look to cash in.