Queens Park Rangers look set to appoint Neil Critchley as their new manager at Loftus Road and the 44-year-old could be set for an early boost with Aston Villa loanee Tim Iroegbunam.

Football League World have claimed that the former Blackpool boss is now in pole position to take over as the west London side's new manager, just over a week after Michael Beale's move to Rangers was confirmed.

A recent tweet claimed that, after an impressive start to life at Loftus Road, Iroegbunam could be recalled by new Villa boss Unai Emery in the January transfer window, with the view to giving him some game time in the Premier League.

Considering the teenage midfielder has started ten of QPR's 21 games in the Championship so far this season, coming off the bench in another three, it seems clear that he is going to be an important member of the Hoops' side in the rest of the 2022/23 campaign.

Fortunately for new boss Critchley, who will have worked briefly with Iroegbunam during his spell as assistant manager at Aston Villa, it now seems as if he will remain a QPR player until the end of the current season.

BirminghamLive reporter Ashley Preece has confirmed that Villa won't exercise their option to recall him, despite a lack of options in central midfield for Emery.

After making his debut for Villa last season, Beale - who was assistant to Gerrard at the time - said: "He is a top young footballer and super impressive young man also. A very bright future ahead."

Gerrard was also full of praise for Iroegbunam's performance and potential after watching him in an U23s game against Norwich City.

He said: "He's a long project for us to work at. He's still very raw but he's got a lot of attributes that we like.

"In the middle bit of the game, he was outstanding and looked like a Premier League player. He's one I'm excited to keep developing and keep polishing up. He's a great kid, humble, and needs to keep working."

The 19-year-old already ranks in the top five QPR players for tackles, dribbles and shots per game so far this campaign, which suggests that he could be in line for a big second half of the season under Critchley, who will surely be delighted that he will be staying in west London.