Rob Green is counting down to February 1 and hoping Charlie Austin is still in hoops by the time the transfer window shuts.

The QPR keeper is not alone in praying their top scorer is not snapped up by any from Crystal Palace, Southampton and Newcastle – to name just three.

But Green admits the on-off Austin saga that started in the summer is anyone’s guess – despite denials from the player himself, currently injured, he will stay until end of the season.

Pointing the way: Charlie Austin

If he does stick around, Rs lose a potential £10 million windfall when Austin's contract runs out in June.

But it almost certainly means tougher times for Rangers as well – bereft of a win in six and languishing 16th in the Championship table.

Green has a unique way of dealing with the situation.

“It’s out of everybody’s hands, so it’s keep your eyes shut and stick fingers in your ears.

“Are we missing him now? It’s a tough one,” Green said. “When something’s not there how do you know? But he has that quality; he’s a proven scorer at this level and above, and anyone would want him in their side.”

So what do you think of the Austin speculation Rob Green?

For the second game on the spin one of only two true strikers left at Rs disposal scored on Friday.

But joy at Sebastian Polter’s equaliser against Hull was quickly snuffed out when Green and Grant Hall got in a tangle to gift Tigers the winner.

Green said: “When your luck’s against you – it’s against you. It’s the only way they could have scored.

“Seb’s up there on his own at the moment and we need to help him as much as we can.”

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