JONES IS ON HIS WAY, ADMITS QPR BOSS
QPR boss John Gregory admitted contract rebel Ray Jones could have played his final game for the club following the teenage striker's winner against Colchester.
Jones headed the only goal to earn Rangers three vital points in their fight for survival in the Coca-Cola Championship - but the 18-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign and refuses to sign a new deal.
Rangers have already rejected a \"derisory\" offer from Fulham for Jones, and know they could receive a higher transfer fee for the forward if they cash in now than if the fee is decided at a tribunal in the summer.
\"Am I resigned to losing him? Quite frankly, yes,\" Gregory said. \"I hope today's was not his last game for us.
\"Ray is out of contract in the summer, and his agent refuses to give him the opportunity to sign a new deal with us. Ray has been ill-advised.
\"January could see certain clubs try to nick him. Ray would be much better off staying here and developing his career.
\"It should not be about money for players of Ray's age. You hear about players who are stars at his age, but never go any further.
\"If he stayed here a little longer, he could be in a position where he is ready to go into Arsenal's or Manchester United's first team at the age of 23.\"
Gregory also accepts that winger Lee Cook, Rangers' most creative player, could leave if the club receive a high enough offer.
Cook has been linked with a number of Barclays Premiership clubs, and scouts from Everton and Newcastle watched the game on Monday.
The win keeps Rangers three points above the relegation zone, and Gregory continued: \"2006 was a year to forget for QPR, and we need to do better this year.
\"The Christmas period is tough for the players, and I am grateful for the effort they put in today against a very good Colchester side.\"
Colchester' form this season means they are chasing a play-off place, but they showed little of the attacking verve which has made them surprise promotion contenders this term.
Manager Geraint Williams conceded: \"We did not deserve anything from the game. That was as poor as we have looked in attack all season.
\"I felt we were a bit negative, and we could not break down their back four.\"
Karl Duguid was withdrawn from the Us starting line-up after complaining of breathing problems during the warm-up, but Williams insisted there was \"nothing to worry about.
\"We will have Karl checked out further, and there will be x-rays, but the doctor said there was nothing to worry about.
\"There are a number of viruses going around at this time of year.\"
