By Dave McIntyre QPR are still in talks with goalkeeper Andy Marshall in an attempt to secure his signing before the weekend. Marshall was offered a one-year contract following a recent trial but, for the moment, an agreement has still not been reached wi

By Dave McIntyre

QPR are still in talks with goalkeeper Andy Marshall in an attempt to secure his signing before the weekend.

Marshall was offered a one-year contract following a recent trial but, for the moment, an agreement has still not been reached with the 34-year-old.

At least one Premier League club are believed to have expressed an interest in signing Marshall as a third-choice keeper.

Rangers were still expected to capture Marshall, but alternative signings were being discussed in case he went elsewhere.

He is a free agent after leaving Coventry at the end of last season and has plenty of Championship experience, having played for the Sky Blues, Millwall, Ipswich and Norwich.

Marshall, who played alongside new Rangers boss Jim Magilton at Portman Road, is seen as a good choice to compete with Radek Cerny.

Rangers' need for another keeper was underlined last week, when Cerny was ordered to rest at home after going down with swine flu.

Marshall had already been pencilled in to play against Southampton on Saturday, when Rangers strolled to a 3-0 win in a pre-season friendly.

Matt Connolly sat out that game, but is likely to play at left-back in this weekend's opening match against Blackpool if he is passed fit following a calf problem.

Akos Buzsaky also missed the Southampton match with a thigh strain but returned to full training on Monday and featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Chelsea on Tuesday, which the Blues won 4-0.

The game gave the Rs management team a chance to look at Chelsea youngster Patrick van Aanholt, who is one of a number of players Rangers have considered in recent weeks as they look to add a left-back to their squad.

Van Aanholt, a Dutch Under-18 international who was previously with PSV Eindhoven, turns 19 later this month and could be available for a loan move.

Rangers are assessing their options after deciding not to offer former Liverpool and Portsmouth left-back Gregory Vignal a contract.

Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood and summer signing Alejandro Faurlin are expected to sit out the Blackpool game, but could be available for Rangers' Carling Cup tie at Exeter City next Tuesday.