By Ben Kosky NEW QPR signing Rob Hulse believes his move to Loftus Road can earn him a third crack at the top level. The 30-year-old centre-forward failed to hold down a regular place in the Premier League with West Brom and his second taste of the top fl

By Ben Kosky

NEW QPR signing Rob Hulse believes his move to Loftus Road can earn him a third crack at the top level.

The 30-year-old centre-forward failed to hold down a regular place in the Premier League with West Brom and his second taste of the top flight, at Sheffield United, ended in relegation.

Now Hulse is seeking to make it third time lucky by guiding Rangers to promotion this season after reuniting with his former Blades boss Neil Warnock in a �700,000 switch from Derby County.

"The first time I played in the Premier League, with West Brom, I didn't stay there all season, and then at Sheffield United we were 10 points clear with a couple of months to go, and I broke my leg," Hulse recalled.

"So I feel like I missed out on a bit more time in the Premier League and I'd like to have another shot at it. That's something that was always in the back of my mind when I

decided to come down here.

"I'm just finding my feet and trying to settle in but already I can see the place is buzzing.

"It's about having a good team and lads who work hard for each other and it's clear we've got that.

"We've made a fantastic start and, as long as we keep working hard and don't get carried away with that, we can be there or thereabouts.

"I think Cardiff may have the best squad, but it's a really funny division where anybody can put a bit of

consistency together, and hopefully we'll do that."

Hulse's pedigree at Championship level is impressive - his name has regularly featured on the scoresheet for Crewe, West Brom, Leeds, Sheffield United and Derby.

Despite spending his entire career in the Midlands and north, the striker, who had been in the final year of his Rams contract, had no hesitation in heading to London when Warnock came calling.

"I just fancied a change. I've worked with the gaffer before and I think he brought the best out of me, so I'm looking forward to working with him again," said Hulse.

"It's nice to see some of the old faces as well. I had a couple of texts from Paddy Kenny beforehand, telling me it was a good club and I should come down.

"I like Loftus Road because I've always enjoyed playing at older grounds where it's very tight and intense.

"It can make a massive difference when the crowd are behind you and equally it can be very off-putting for visiting sides."

Rangers fans will have to be patient before they get to see Hulse sporting the blue and white hoops - the player is currently out of action with an Achilles inflammation, but hopes to be back in contention

before the end of the month.

"The medical staff are looking at it and it's a little niggle that needs time to settle," he added. "I can't wait to get going but it's a case of getting the injury sorted first."

QPR are hoping to tie up a loan deal for Tommy Smith before Saturday after administrative errors halted their �1.5m move for the Portsmouth striker.

Pompey confirmed on Tuesday that the Football League had refused to rubber-stamp the transfer 'due to administrative issues outside the Blues' control'.

That means Rangers will have to borrow Smith on what is technically an emergency loan until the transfer window reopens in January, when the original deal will go through.

The 30-year-old striker should make his QPR debut against Middlesbrough on Saturday at Loftus Road.