Hitman Austin staying at Rangers, insists Redknapp

QPR boss Harry Redknapp expects in-form striker Charlie Austin to be offered a new contract but denies Rangers are fighting off interest from other clubs.

Austin is the joint highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this season having scored seven goals, including the winner in a 3-2 victory over Leicester on Saturday.

The 25-year-old moved to Loftus Road in August 2013 and has only 18 months to run on his current deal. “I’m sure the club would (like to extend his contract),” Redknapp said. “I don’t get involved in that, it’s up to the chairman and (chief executive) Phil Beard.

“I’m sure everyone wants to keep Charlie here and I’m sure they’ll be sitting down and talking to him.”

Austin’s scintillating form, which has seen him score five goals in his last five matches, has reportedly alerted the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool.

Redknapp, however, insists Rangers have not fielded any enquiries for their star man and insists Austin still has to prove himself in the top flight.

“We’ve not had any enquiries from anyone else as far as I know,” Redknapp said. “He’s come into the Premier League and only played a dozen games. He’s got a long, long way to go still — he knows that.”

Despite Austin’ excellent start, QPR are keen to bolster their attacking options in January, with FC Toronto striker Jermain Defoe still on Redknapp’s radar.

“It depends how much it costs and what the deal is for Defoe,” Redknapp explained.

“I love him as a player and a lad but it depends what the deal is.”

QPR visit seventh-placed Swansea tonight, looking to climb out of the bottom three for the first time since September, buoyed by Saturday’s 3-2 win over Leicester City.

Swansea, for their part, will be looking to keep on to their prize asset, Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony.

Bony scored for the sixth time in seven Premier League games in the 1-1 home draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday to make it 18 top-flight goals for the calendar year — the best in the division.

Bony will be away for several weeks in January and February on Ivory Coast duty at the Africa Cup of Nations but Monk says Swansea would not entertain offers anyway.

“We’re not a selling club, we don’t have to sell anyone,” Monk said.