Clarke has struggled to keep a first-team place at QPR

Preston North End have signed striker Leon Clarke on loan from QPR until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves man joined Rangers in the summer on a free transfer but has failed to score in 15 appearances.

Clarke told the club website: "When I spoke to my agent and the opportunity arose to come here, I was really excited and I jumped at the chance."

He will go straight into the squad to face Scunthorpe on Saturday.

The Lillywhites sit bottom of the Championship but Clarke says their precarious league position did not affect his decision to join Phil Brown's side.

"When I was at Sheffield Wednesday, I was in a relegation fight as well; this is like the same scenario," he said.

606: DEBATE No disrespect but i think Brown has done what Pardew has done and just looked at the top Championship sides and tried to take their players Hula_Hoops

"There were no qualms about coming here. I jumped at the chance and I am prepared to roll my sleeves up with the rest of the lads and get stuck in, which I know we will have to do to grind out some results."

Clarke started his career at Wolves in 2003 and enjoyed loan spells at Kidderminster, QPR and Plymouth before joining Wednesday in 2007.

He scored 18 goals in 87 appearances for the Hillsborough club before being loaned out to Oldham and Southend and was released to join QPR in June.

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