Remy to face Liverpool

17 May 2013 12:47

QPR striker Loic Remy is available for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield, the club have confirmed.

Remy has been bailed following his arrest on suspicion of rape after being one of three men held by Scotland Yard's sex crime squad for an offence that is alleged to have taken place on May 6 in west London. The 26-year-old France international, who joined relegated QPR from Marseille for £8million in January, denies the claim.

Rangers boss Harry Redknapp refused to discuss the matter at a press conference, but a club spokesman said: "With regard to Loic Remy, the club can confirm he's training today and will be available for selection against Liverpool, but the manager can't take any questions on him."

QPR were relegated from the Premier League on April 28 following their goalless draw at Reading, who will also spend next season attempting to win promotion from the npower Championship. Redknapp envisages a busy summer ahead in the transfer window, claiming his current squad would be incapable of securing an immediate return to the top flight.

"We need to change things here to give ourselves a chance of trying to mount a challenge for next season because it won't be easy," Redknapp said.

"The hard work starts in the summer, trying to clear the decks, make some changes and get some fresh blood in. We need a group who will be good enough to compete at the top of the Championship. We certainly weren't good enough to compete in the Premier League.

"I'd like the changes to be extensive because the club needs changing. The team that's here hasn't been good enough and would struggle to get out of the Championship next season. We've been short of quality, it's not been due to a lack of desire. In some cases it may have been a little bit, but we just haven't been good enough in certain areas."

Remy, defender Christopher Samba and keeper Julio Cesar top the list of players expected to depart in the summer and Redknapp ruled out another costly recruitment drive.

"It won't be a case of throwing money at it. We want to bring lads in who will have the right attitude with the right abilities to get you out of the division," he said. "I'm confident we can mount a challenge next season, but it won't be easy. The Championship is full of big clubs, clubs bigger than QPR like Leeds United.

"Almost every club in the Championship has been in the Premier League at some point, so it's a tough league to get out of."

Source: PA