Kranjcar inclusion may mean tactical change

Harry Redknapp says Niko Kranjcar’s recent arrival gives him the option of changing QPR’s formation.

Manager Redknapp signed the Croatian playmaker on deadline day, having previously worked with him at Portsmouth and Tottenham.

And he believes Kranjcar will give Rangers more flexibility as they look to maintain an excellent start to their Championship campaign.

Injuries to Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora led Redknapp to play Gary O’Neil in an off-the-front role against Brighton on Wednesday – a position he had already earmarked for Kranjcar.

Redknapp explained: “It gives me the option of Niko playing in behind as a number 10, where he can play.

“He’s fantastic in there – a little bit like Rafael van der Vaart when I was at Tottenham. It’s an option for me.

“Niko can play in that position on the left where he drifts in between the lines, or off the front. He can play a pass and put people in on goal.

“He’s a fantastic footballer and I’m pleased to have him. He’s just a week or so away from being really ready.”

Kranjcar, 29, has had to wait for his R’s debut as he is still building up his match fitness, having not been involved prior to his departure from Dynamo Kiev.

He could feature in Saturday’s match against Yeovil, where Rangers will again be without Johnson, Zamora and Junior Hoilett.

“I don’t want to rush Niko and then for him to break down or something. A good week’s training will make the difference for him,” said Redknapp.

“He had a little muscle injury but nothing too bad and he wasn’t playing in Ukraine as he’d made it clear he wanted to come back to London, so they left him out and he wasn’t playing.”

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