By Ben Kosky DARREN Ambrose s move to QPR is on hold – but manager Neil Warnock remains confident of prising him away from Crystal Palace next season. Warnock thought he had secured the services of the free-scoring Eagles midfielder with a �750,000 bid la

By Ben Kosky

DARREN Ambrose's move to QPR is on hold - but manager Neil Warnock remains confident of prising him away from Crystal Palace next season.

Warnock thought he had secured the services of the free-scoring Eagles midfielder with a �750,000 bid last month, but Palace's new owners are holding out for an increased offer.

The Rangers boss admits he may have to turn his attention elsewhere in the short term, but is planning a renewed attempt to lure the player across London later this year.

"Things haven't really moved on in the last few weeks," Warnock told the Times. "I think I will get Ambrose at one stage or another because he's in the last year of his contract, but it may not be just yet.

"We won't be increasing our offer, that's for certain - no-one else has come in for him with any more money on the table. We're looking at other options anyhow.

"I've got a number of signings in mind and I'm hoping I can get the majority of them before the serious business gets under way.

"I'm looking for another couple of forwards, really. I've signed Jamie Mackie and Leon Clarke but I'd like two more so I can build a squad and cover for injuries - and I don't want loan players if I can help it."

Ambrose, 26, who has also played for Ipswich, Newcastle and Charlton, was one of the shining lights of a difficult season for Palace last year as he fired 20 goals - including the one that saved them from relegation on the final day.

But the pressure on Palace to sell Ambrose has eased significantly since the CPFC2010 consortium took the club out of administration earlier this summer.

It is understood that Rangers have not entirely given up hope of bringing Tottenham playmaker Adel Taarabt back to Loftus Road for a third spell as an alternative to Ambrose.

Taarabt is angling for a move to Spain, but Warnock stated: "There's always a possibility. It looks like he's got other things going on but you never know."

Meanwhile, Warnock has confirmed that out-of-contract midfielder Gavin Mahon may still have a future with QPR, even though they finalised the signing of Shaun Derry this week.

Derry, who played for Warnock at both Sheffield United and Palace, will officially sign a two-year deal with Rangers when his Selhurst Park contract expires next week.

The tough-tackling 32-year-old has been widely viewed as a replacement for Mahon, who made 66 appearances for QPR following his move from Watford in December 2008.

Mahon has not played since he suffered a knee injury last November, but could yet earn a new contract if he impresses when Rangers begin training at the end of next week.

"We've released him, but he's asked to come back and do pre-season with us," added the Rs boss. "So we'll have a look at him in pre-season and make a decision after that.