Bobby Zamora has pleaded with the QPR board to reward star striker Charlie Austin with a new contract.

Austin was the hat-trick hero on Saturday as his treble saw Rangers come from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at Loftus Road.

Those three goals against the Baggies took him to 11 for the season and he only trails Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero in the Premier League scoring charts.

The 25-year-old has 18 months remaining on his current deal but the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham have both been credited with an interest in the former bricklayer.

Silenced the doubters: Charlie Austin has coped with Premier League football

His strike partner Zamora reckons the club need to act quickly to tie down Austin and ward off interest from rival clubs as the January transfer window looms large.

He said: “He’s got 18 months on his deal and I think the club should be offering him something now because with the from he’s in, I don’t think it’ll be long before some big clubs make an offer and he may want to take that chance. For us, we need to keep hold of him.

“Chaz is a great asset for us and, fingers crossed, he can continue his form. He’s a great finisher with a great work ethic. You just want it to continue and fingers crossed it can. He’s a great lad.

"Hopefully the goals keep coming for him. e gets all sorts – scrappy ones, long strikes, everything. I don’t know who I’d compare him to. He’s got the lot in and around the box.

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“He’s just putting the ball away. The chances are dropping and he’s putting them away. It’s just happening for him, and for us. Long may it continue. I’m pleased for him. As long as we’re getting three points on the board, that’s all that matters.”

Hoops manager Harry Redknapp agrees with Zamora and has no plans to cash in on his star forward this winter.

Redknapp believes Austin should now be looking towards hitting the 20-goal mark for this season and has been delighted with the marksman’s progress.

He added: “If we sold Charlie Austin we might as well go home, you know what I mean. He’s here. We need Charlie to keep doing what he’s doing and he can’t afford to take his foot off the gas.

Comeback King: Charlie Austin after completing his hat trick

“His target would be around 20 goals now with the way he’s going at the moment. It’s not impossible.

“He’s a goalscorer. He wants to score. He works hard, he’s got a great attitude. He isn’t a minute’s problem.

“There is no side to him - he ain’t lairy and gets on with it. He’s a lovely boy who’s been to work for a living and is now playing Premier League football.

“Goalscorers find a yard of space. It’s a knack - he’s in the right place at the right time. If you score 20 goals in the Championship this year you’ll score in the Premier League. It’s not rocket science, it’s that knack that people have got."