QPR and Fulham are locked in a derby battle already – but in this case it’s for the same players.

For the third time in a week, Rs have increased a bid for Tim Ream at Bolton beyond £1m, and Fulham too have joined in the battle for the USA international.

Whites are keener on Lewis Dunk at Brighton, but so far the Seagulls have yet to bite on an approach for the player they rate at £4m.

However, should the Dunk hope get slammed, Ream is the standby hope.

Rangers also have the Brighton man on their radar, and are the needier when it comes to central defenders with only Nedum Onuoha and Clint Hill, and rookie Cole Kpekawa in place.

Bolton boss Neil Lennon admitted it had become a two-way battle for Ream, and one in which he vowed to win.

“There has been an original bid from QPR and now there is one from Fulham,” he said,

“He is not for sale. And neither club has reached the valuation of the player.”