Beale confident Iroegbunam will not be recalled

QPR boss Mick Beale is confident Steven Gerrard’s sacking by Aston Villa will not affect the loan deal for Tim Iroegbunam.

The 19-year-old midfielder signed for Rangers in a season-long agreement on transfer deadline day last month after Beale persuaded the former Villa manager to allow him to move to west London.

Gerrard was sacked last week and replaced by ex-Arsenal manager Unai Emery, but Beale said he does not believe Villa will demand the return of Iroegbunam, who has made 10 appearances since arriving at Loftus Road, in January.

“I don’t see why it would change anything,” Beale said.

“Aston Villa loan the player to QPR and the decision would have been made with Steven’s agreement but it would have been a club decision.

“I think they will be delighted with his progress. We had a visit from them last week as well as Man United to see Ethan and at the moment it’s so far so good.

“Tim is really enjoying it, we’re enjoying having him and we can all see he is player with a big future in front of him.”