QPR striker Charlie Austin believes a lucky jumper is the key to his Premier League goalscoring exploits.

The striker plundered a hat-trick in Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win over West Bromwich Albion.

That treble took him to 11 for the season in the league and he is only trailing world-class double act Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero in the hunt for the golden boot.

He is known for his knack of being in the right place at the right time, a deft touch, bravery and ability to remain cool under pressure.

But beneath that ice-cool exterior lies a deeply-superstitious footballer and Rangers team-mate Joey Barton has offered a different explanation for the goals.

“He's got his lucky jumper,” Barton revealed. “He's got the worst jumper ever that he keeps wearing for home games and he says it's his lucky jumper.

(Image: Action Images / Alan Walter)

“He's really superstitious. It's a moth-bitten, flea-bitten horrible looking jumper like your dog would sleep on, not ironed or anything, and he's convinced it's his lucky jumper. To be fair he can keep it on – it hums a little bit but he keeps banging them in.

“He sits next to me [in the QPR dressing room]. He won't take it off. Maybe if he goes through a little bit of a drought we can get him into a new jumper. Every cloud has a silver lining!

“We've got a great group here, we've worked really hard to protect that. When you've got Chaz in the side he's always likely to put it in the back of the net for you.

“It'll be our job to keep Charlie on the ground. We absolutely cane him on a daily basis so his head won't be getting big.”

QPR play Arsenal at the Emirates on Boxing Day and the R's man will be hoping to add to his tally against the North Londoners.

Austin has 18 months remaining on his QPR contract and strike-partner Bobby Zamora has urged the board to sort out his new deal soon or risk losing him.