Former Portsmouth target Marc Pugh leaves QPR - one year after arriving from Bournemouth

Former Pompey target Marc Pugh has been released by QPR.
Could Marc Pugh be back on Pompey's radar following his release from QPR?  Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesCould Marc Pugh be back on Pompey's radar following his release from QPR?  Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Could Marc Pugh be back on Pompey's radar following his release from QPR? Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The winger, who was heavily linked with a move to Fratton Park last summer after leaving Bournemouth, has departed the Loftus Road side on the eve of the resumption of Championship football.

The R’s said they could not afford to offer him a new contract in the current financial climate, with the 33-year-old just one game away from an extended 12-month deal.

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Pugh had made 31 appearances for Mark Warburton’s side, scoring twice – although 15 of those outings came from the bench.

He scored in QPR’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham at the end of February – his last goal before football was suspended because of the coronavirus in March.

Warburton told the R’s’ website: ‘Marc is a fantastic professional and he deserves to be treated with absolute respect.

‘The simple reality is we, as a club, are not in a position to be able to provide a further 12-month contract to Marc.’

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Last summer, Pompey boss Kenny Jackett was certainly looking at Pugh as he attempted to freshen up his attacking options in wide areas.

Jamal Lowe was being linked with a move away from Fratton Park, before eventually joining Wigan.

Meanwhile, on-loan Viv Solomon-Otabor had returned to parent club Birmingham.

The manager ended up splashing the cash on Marcus Harness (Burton) and bringing Ryan Williams back to the club on a free transfer from Rotherham.

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Jackett remains well-stocked in the wide areas, but has already been linked with a move for out-of-contract Accrington winger Jordan Clark.

The boss has already dismissed that link, while any transfer involving the Blues this summer will depend on their financial position as all clubs count the cost of Covid-19.

Pugh’s experience, though, could be invaluable if Pompey are playing in the Championship next term.

They begin their League One play-off campaign by hosting Oxford at Fratton Park on July 3, before travelling to the Kassam Stadium on July 6.

The play-off final will be held at Wembley on July 13.

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