There is already a number 10 at QPR – so when Harry Redknapp revealed it’s where Ravel Morrison will play, the manager is not about to jettison Tom Carroll.
The Spurs loanee merely has that number on his back. But the latest temporary signing will slot into a position behind the front men where he can be most dangerous, hopes Harry.
“Ravel’s a number 10 really – he can make goals; he can score goals,” explained the manager, who hopes to have the deal completed in the next couple of days.
“He can run at pace and beat people. Hopefully, he will open the door and do something special by dropping in behind the front man.”
The West Ham player’s problems are well documented.
The 21-year-old was lucky to escape prison when he was at Manchester United, and there was a rocky spell on loan at Birmingham City where arriving late for training was set to scupper his relationship with former Fulham hero Lee Clark, now manager at the Blues.
However, Redknapp thinks he can get the best out of a player touted as an outside chance for the World Cup barely five months ago, but who has since fallen by the wayside.
Carrot or stick, Harry was asked in dealing with Morrison?
“The carrot is the way to deal with these kids,” he said. “I don’t think you’re going to get anywhere by doing something else.
“A couple of lads I spoke to at West Ham said he is a good lad. He’s a bit wayward and has off days where he forgets things or whatever, but I think he can be a great player for us.”
