Neil Warnock has had a word in Charlie Austin's ear about joining Crystal Palace.

Reports claim the Premier League club tabled a £7.5 million bid for QPR's leading striker, and the ex-boss to both clubs reckons a switch from south to west London would be an ideal fit.

Warnock had a second spell with Hoops in November as caretaker boss, and appears to have got an inside line to the striker's mindset.

Return to Selhurst? Crystal Palace's Martin Kelly takes on Austin last season

He said: "It is a little bit of cat and mouse between Charlie and QPR.

"He was a little bit disappointed how it phased out in the last window and I think he is making his point now that he is not going to go anywhere [this month] because of what happened in the last window.

"But I have said to him about Palace. I love Crystal Palace and I love QPR and I have said to him: 'for me Charlie, the way you play, you will get opportunities at Palace'.

"They need a striker definitely and he would fit the bill. He would score goals."

Austin has said he is happy to stay with Rangers until the end of the season. But the club would lose out on a hefty transfer fee when he walks on a free in the summer.

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