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Charlie Austin to Newcastle: QPR striker still transfer target - Steve McClaren

QPR striker Charlie Austin
Image: QPR's Charlie Austin has scored five goals in six Championship games this season

QPR striker Charlie Austin remains on Newcastle's list of transfer targets, according to manager Steve McClaren.

The Magpies were interested in signing the 26-year-old this summer but were not willing to meet Rangers' £15m asking price.

Newcastle have struggled and are without a win in their first four games of the season, as they prepare to face West Ham on Monday Night Football.

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McClaren insisted he is not thinking about potential incomings in January at present but Austin remains on the club's wishlist.

McClaren said: "He has been on Newcastle's radar from the second half of last season and during the summer, and he will stay on the radar, definitely.

"At this present moment, I am not targeting anything at all other than trying to get this team to play how I want them to and how I can, in my mind, envision what we can do.

"We are not there yet. Until I get that, I can't say 'we will do this' or 'we will do that'. It is too early for that."

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Aleksandar Mitrovic (C) of Newcastle United walks past Steve McClaren manager of Newcastle United while leaving
Image: Aleksandar Mitrovic will not be available for Newcastle against West Ham

Newcastle will be without the suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic for the clash at Upton Park, which is live on Sky Sports 1,  so either Papiss Cisse or Ayoze Perez are in line to replace him.

The Tyneside club have lost to Swansea and Arsenal, while picking up draws against Southampton and Manchester United, and they have scored two Premier League goals.

West Ham v Newcastle is live on Sky Sports 1HD from 7pm on Monday Night Football