QPR chief executive Philip Beard gave a guarded assessment of the club’s stadium ambitions, but insisted that Rangers continue to make “progress” in their hunt for a new home.

The Rs begin life in the Championship this weekend with Beard and chairman Tony Fernandes adamant that a move away from Loftus Road, which has a capacity of less than 19,000, is integral to the club’s future.

Fernandes had hoped to find a location in west London last summer, but that never materialised. He estimates the cost of such a stadium will be around £150million, and continues to scout possible locations in close proximity to Shepherd’s Bush.

Relegation forced QPR to re-evaluate their finances, but Beard said a new stadium remains very much part of the club’s future.

“We’re making progress with stadium plans, but it’s important we’ve got three or four options,” he said.

“If you decide you’re only going to pursue one option and nothing works you’re back to the start again.

“We’ve got plans and want to stay as close as we can to Loftus Road, that’s important.

“We want to recreate the atmosphere, but if we’re going to do something it’s got to be a multi-use facility.”

But Beard urged patience, suggesting that plans for a new stadium remain at an early stage, two years after they were first suggested.

“It would be crazy to say there are concrete plans,” he added.

“We’ve put a new pitch down at Loftus Road, which was one of the oldest pitches in the country.

“We’ve done other work at Loftus Road. Season ticket sales are almost at 10,000. Our focus is on getting Loftus Road ready for August 3.”