Dean Ashton has told new West Ham manager Slaven Bilic to make QPR’s Charlie Austin his number one transfer target.

The Rs striker is expected to leave Loftus Road this summer, following a stellar season for Chris Ramsey’s side.

Newcastle are the front-runners to land the 25-year-old but Ashton has told former club West Ham to steal a march on their Premier League rivals.

“If it was me [at West Ham], I’d go out straight away and put the money down for Charlie Austin,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show.

“He’s scored 18 goals in a team that was struggling. I know what it’s like to play in teams where you’re not playing every week, and it’s tough.

“You only get few chances and he’s so clinical.”