By Ben Kosky FORMER QPR star Marcus Bignot believes his old club have pulled off a coup by persuading Arsenal to loan them Jay Simpson. Rangers will sign the 20-year-old forward on a season-long loan later this week in an effort to reinforce their lacklus

By Ben Kosky

FORMER QPR star Marcus Bignot believes his old club have pulled off a coup by persuading Arsenal to loan them Jay Simpson.

Rangers will sign the 20-year-old forward on a season-long loan later this week in an effort to reinforce their lacklustre front line.

And Bignot, who played alongside Simpson during the youngster's spell at Millwall in 2008, told the Times: "I think the QPR fans will be excited by him.

"Jay's not a big lad but he certainly has a physical presence and he's got a good shot in his locker as well. He'll be a good addition to what's already a strong squad at QPR.

"He's a quiet lad but a very warming character. He came into a struggling team at Millwall, but that didn't faze him at all and he was a very good player for us.

"I'd put him in the Theo Walcott bracket in that Arsenal might not have decided yet whether he's a wide player or a front man, but I think he'd prefer to be up top."

Simpson has been on the Gunners' books since he was a schoolboy, but came to prominence during his loan at Millwall, helping the League One club to escape relegation and winning the divisional PFA fans' player of the year award.

He made his Arsenal debut in the Carling Cup last season, playing three times and scoring two goals in their 3-0 fourth-round win over Wigan.

The north Londoner spent the second half of the season on loan with West Brom, netting twice in 17 appearances, but has been back in Arsenal's reserves this term.