ROB Hulse could join Queen’s Park Rangers today and end a year of uncertainty over his future at Derby County.
The 30-year-old striker is wanted by Rangers boss Neil Warnock and a permanent deal could be sealed by the close of the transfer window at 6pm.
Hulse has been missing with an Achilles injury for the past two weeks after he scored against Leeds United on the opening day of the season.
He was not back in time for Saturday’s 2- 2 draw with QPR as the Rams struggled without a recognised striker against the league leaders.
Hulse nearly left Pride Park a year ago when Middlesbrough made a £4.25 million offer on deadline day — only for the player to turn down the move and a rumoured £20,000 a week contract.
However, after being Derby’s top scorer in the last two seasons following a £1.8m move from Sheffield United, Hulse would likely leave on a free transfer in the summer.
He is in the final year of his contract and the Rams are not in the position to offer one of their top earners the same terms.
Hulse has been linked with several clubs over the summer, with Premier League Blackpool reported to be interested in signing the 6ft 3in striker before they instead signed Luke Varney on loan from
the Rams.
Now, QPR have renewed their interest in the former Crewe Alexandra man, who played under Warnock when he was boss of Sheffield United.
Warnock took Hulse into the Premier League after signing him from Leeds United for £2.2m and he rewarded him by scoring eight goals in 29 appearances for the Blades before badly breaking his leg against Chelsea.
His absence was blamed for United’s subsequent slide towards relegation as West Ham United escaped on the final day of the season.
Meanwhile, the Rams were today set to seal Alberto Bueno’s move on loan from Real Valladolid.
The 22-year-old forward, formerly with Real Madrid, was at Derby’s match with QPR on Saturday to see Pride Park as well as the club’s Moor Farm training ground.
A 3m Euro signing just a year ago, Bueno made three appearances for the Madrid giants before moving to Valladolid.
West Bromwich Albion’s Chris Wood, an 18-year-old New Zealand international striker, could also arrive today on loan, but Everton’s James Vaughan is unlikely to rejoin the Rams after a loan spell last season.
GRESLEY FC went goal-crazy as they racked up a 9-0 win at Anstey Nomads yesterday.
Richard Hanslow led the scorers with four, while Brian Woodall grabbed a brace, and Gareth Langford, Jordi Gough and Chris Bate completed the rout.
The Moatmen will face Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round after the Moors beat Glapwell 6-0 on Sunday.
