Last Updated: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:23
R's striker Andrew Johnson is closing in on a return to full fitness following his injury but cannot turn out for QPR this season.
The 32-year-old former England striker picked up a bad knee injury back in September and, with suggestions that he would be out for the entire season, he was left out of the 25-man first-team squad.
Johnson has now revealed he is almost ready to return to full training but the R's are faced with the bizarre situation that they may have an ex-England frontman desperate to help them fight against the drop sat in the stands because of Premier League rules.
"The knee is great, I've been working hard in the gym and finally got outside a couple of weeks ago," he told QPR Player.
"I'm not too far away now. I went to see the surgeon and got the go ahead now to crack on to the next stage. Hopefully within the month I will be back training with the boys."
With injury worries to both Bobby Zamora and Loic Remy, Harry Redknapp would have loved the option of playing Johnson but he will not get the opportunity.
"Because of the 25-man system this year I haven't been named in it so it is impossible for me to play this season," Johnson said.
"It would just be great to get a couple of games under my belt with the reserves and have six weeks or two months training with the first team."
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
