Striker Charlie Kelman earns praise off R’s boss Mark Warburton

BY NICK KITUNO

Mark Warburton has praised teenage debutant Charlie Kelman after the 19-year-old made his senior Queens Park Rangers debut against Bristol City.

The striker, who arrived from Southend United for an undisclosed fee in October, came on as a late substitute for Chris Willock as the R’s chased a late equaliser last night.

Kelman teed up Bright Osayi-Samuel for a potential leveller at the death but the winger could not convert as City escaped west London with a 2-1 win, despite QPR’s first-half domination.

Warburton has been impressed with Kelman since his arrival at the club and believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

He said: “It’s a great bit of business by the club. Credit to Les [Ferdinand, director of football], and Andy Belk [head of recruitment], and the team, in spotting that and getting the deal done.

“Eighteen [years old], 30 appearances for Southend already, he’s a goalscorer. I’ve been very impressed by Charlie in terms of his approach, his technical ability, he’s just got an eye for goal in training. He’s been very impressive for the first-team.

“Lots of development, loads of development still to come for a young player, but I’ve got to say I’m very impressed. I put him on tonight to try and get that equaliser and you saw the ball he put through for Brighty.

“As I say, delighted with the businesses. A lot of credit should go to the recruitment team for that, but he’s a young player, I think, with a really bright future. I hope very much he continues in the same vein and QPR supporters see him in the months ahead of how good he can be.”