Watson's loan deal from Wigan expires at the end of the month

QPR manager Jim Magilton has confirmed that he would like to sign midfielder Ben Watson on a permanent deal.

Watson, 24, is on loan at Loftus Road from Wigan until the end of December.

Magilton said: "I'd like to keep Ben at the club. If we can keep him until the end of the season or do a deal to sign him then I'd be delighted.

"It's something we'll leave to the money men. I definitely want him. He's a player I rate highly. He is energetic, keen and ambitious."

Rangers tried to sign Watson before he joined Wigan from Crystal Palace for £2m in January this year.

The former England Under-21 international made six Premier League starts for the Latics last season.

He fell out of favour following Roberto Martinez's appointment as manager and made one first-team appearance under the Spaniard before being loaned to QPR in September.

Watson has been a key player for the Championship club since captain Martin Rowlands was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

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