Blackburn's Chris Samba still a target for QPR

QPR manager Mark Hughes still hopes to sign Blackburn Rovers centre-half Chris Samba as he looks to strengthen his squad in January.

Rangers have had two bids for the 27-year-old rejected and Rovers boss Steve Kean insists Samba is not for sale.

But Hughes said: "It's common knowledge we put a bid in for Chris. If that is a situation that progresses all well and good, but we will have to wait and see.

"We have a number of players we would like to bring to the club."

Samba missed Blackburn's 3-1 win over Fulham on Saturday because of severe stomach cramps.

And Hughes, who signed Samba in January 2007 when he was Blackburn manager, is eager to be reunited with the towering defender but may have to fend off reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

QPR remain in the Premier League relegation zone following the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

However, Hughes said he would not rush into making signings despite their position.

"They have to be the right players and ones that will make an immediate impact," Hughes said. "We are asking questions and taking phone calls all the time. We will pursue opportunities we think can help us, but it is not an exact science.

"It is not easy in the January window, we have to be patient. If players we would like are not available then we may have to wait."

But Hughes was encouraged by his side's display in his first game in charge.

"I was pleased with what we produced. We had good opportunities and on another day they would have gone in," Hughes commented. "We put a lot of information into the players and it's been a week of change but I'm pleased. We played some good stuff and we can build on that.

"I was pleased with the shape and discipline of the team. If we are consistently strong defensively then, given the chances we created, we will take games away from teams."