Cesar may not even be on the QPR bench

Goalkeeper Rob Green has been told he will stay in the QPR team ahead of Julio Cesar – who might not even get a place on the bench.

Cesar, 33, returned to training with Rangers this week after failing to secure a move during the transfer window.

The Brazil international was desperate to join Arsenal, who were consistently linked with him despite not making an approach.

Supposed interest from several European clubs also came to nothing.

And Harry Redknapp, whose side face Birmingham at Loftus Road on Saturday, is not only unwilling to leave out Green, he is also reluctant to relegate Brian Murphy to third-choice keeper.

The Rangers boss said: “Rob Green’s been great, so he’s in the team.

“It’s a difficult situation with Julio and I’m surprised no-one came in for him. He’s a world class keeper.

“But Rob’s been in great form. You look at our results – 1-0 at Bolton, 1-0 at Leeds – and Rob’s done nothing wrong.

“It’s a difficult one and the boy Murphy’s also a good goalkeeper. I think Julio moving on would have been the ideal situation for him and for everybody.”

Cesar returning to the squad might enable Redknapp to send Murphy out on loan, with a number of clubs currently interested in taking him.

However, Redknapp said: “I could do that, but I don’t know whether Julio wants to sit on the bench. It’s a difficult situation.

“Let’s see what happens. He’s a great keeper and if I need him he’s there, but it’s a difficult one.”

He added: “His dream is to play in the World Cup in Brazil and I don’t think this will affect his situation.

“The manager of Brazil thinks he’s the number one man and I don’t think anything that happens at QPR is going to change that for him.”

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