QPR plan to reward Alex Smithies for his fine form this season by offering the goalkeeper a new and improved contract.

The 26-year-old, whose current deal runs out in July 2018, has been a rare bright spark from a poor campaign for the Rs to date.

Despite the club’s lowly position, Rangers are expecting Smithies to attract Premier League interest when the window reopens next month, so are minded to approach the former Huddersfield man about a contract extension as soon as possible.

Smithies was sounded out by a number of Championship clubs as a potential signing in the summer, but he opted to remain in W12.

Rangers are also wary though that with a promotion bid looking extremely unlikely this term, and with Smithies harbouring ambitions of playing in the top flight, that the latter may put a hold on negotiations until the summer for the time being.

However, the Times understands QPR remain confident of securing Smithies on a long-term deal despite this, with the goalkeeper happy and settled in London.

With that said if the club were to receive a massive offer for Smithies’ services they would consider selling, with his understudy Matt Ingram highly regarded by the management and hierarchy.

Elsewhere, Rangers are also optimistic that Tjaronn Chery will sign a contract extension.

Both Les Ferdinand and Ian Holloway are huge admirers of the Dutchman, who as well as finding the net four times already this season, has created more chances than any other player in the Championship this season.

Chery, who turns 29 next summer, also harbours hopes of playing in the Premier League in the not too distant future though, but Rangers are also confident he will put pen-to-paper on a new deal, with an assurance to him that they intend on making a serious push for promotion next term.