PAUL Smyth has joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a season-long loan deal.

The Northern Irishman – who spent the second half of last season on loan with Accrington Stanley – has made 19 QPR appearances, having made his debut in 2017.

Manager Mark Warburton has explained the decision to allow Smyth to head out on loan.

He said: "Paul came to the club, settled in well and made a very positive impression. However, he now needs to continue his development by playing regular first-team football and in Gareth and Wycombe we have the perfect environment for this to happen.

"Yes, he could benefit from being around the first-team squad here and having occasional pitch time but our focus has to be on having Paul develop as swiftly as possible and there is no better teacher than playing the game itself.

"We will work closely with Gareth, someone we trust and respect very much, to ensure that Paul's development is closely monitored, with the focus on being to have Paul return to the club at the end of the Season a better player for the experience."

With regards to the current search for strikers, Warburton was keen to emphasise the amount of work being done by the football department.

He said: "I fully appreciate that some of our supporters will be concerned at the evident lack of attacking options, but it is vitally important that we secure players who represent good value for the club and who possess the quality and desire to play for QPR.

"It is a highly-competitive market place and we must strive to work in a financially prudent manner that allows for the long-term health of the club to flourish. Please rest assured that everyone within the football department is working tirelessly to ensure we enjoy a successful summer window, with strikers being at the very top of our shopping list."