By Ben Kosky MICK Harford is convinced Nigel Quashie s QPR roots will be a key asset as the midfielder embarks on his second spell at Loftus Road. Quashie came through the youth system at Rangers and played 63 times for the first team before the cash-stra

By Ben Kosky

MICK Harford is convinced Nigel Quashie's QPR roots will be a key asset as the midfielder embarks on his second spell at Loftus Road.

Quashie came through the youth system at Rangers and played 63 times for the first team before the cash-strapped club sold him to Nottingham Forest for �2.5m in 1998.

And Harford, whose predecessor Paul Hart first sounded out the former Scotland international about a return to west London, told the Times: "It is a big help that he knows the club.

"He already has an affiliation with the fans, that's important and every player here knows who Nigel Quashie is and what he's about. I think he'll be a good signing for Queens Park Rangers.

"Nigel's had an injury problem, but he's been at MK Dons and played eight or nine games in the last two months, so we know he comes here fit and available to play football.

"He brings a bit of experience and knowhow with him and he's a very good footballer. He's trained with us and looked excellent and settled in very well."

Quashie, now 31, moved on to Portsmouth, Southampton, West Brom and West Ham following his two-year stint at Forest and also won 14 caps for Scotland.

He trained with QPR last week while negotiating his release from West Ham and made his second debut for Rangers in Tuesday's 5-0 hammering by former club Forest.

Another debutant was left-back Matt Hill, who signed a loan deal from Wolves until the end of the season - almost five years after turning down the chance to play for QPR.

The 28-year-old, who began his career with Bristol City, was a transfer target for former Rs manager Ian Holloway, but opted to sign for Preston instead.

Meanwhile, QPR will also try and persuade Wolves to extend goalkeeper Carl Ikeme's loan period until the end of the season.

Ikeme, who is behind Wayne Hennessey and Marcus Hahnemann in the queue for the keeper's jersey at Molineux, has impressed at Rangers since his temporary move, which ends after next week's trip to Peterborough.

"Ikeme's here to add competition and play games," said Harford. "He's looked great in training, he's got a great attitude and presence about him and we're delighted with him.

"I think when you sign players from Premier League teams, firstly they're expected to play and if they're not good enough, they won't. But Carl's proved he's more than good enough to play for Queens Park Rangers.