Queens Park Rangers striker Bobby Zamora has urged the club to tie Charlie Austin down to a long-term contract at Loftus Road.
The 25-year-old has settled seamlessly into Premier League football, with only Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa able to better the Englishman's 12-goal haul this season.
Just 18 months remain on Austin's current deal, and Zamora believes that other clubs would be "crazy" to ignore him if QPR do not offer him a new contract.
"He has 12 goals now and that's brilliant. Hopefully, he can continue that and as a club we need to tie him down and get him a new deal," Zamora told reporters. "I'm pleased for him, he's doing well and he works hard. Without a shadow of a doubt other clubs will be looking at him. If they're not, then they're crazy because he can get you that goal.
"He did well for us last year and, even though it's a step up, we know what he can do. He wasn't scoring wonder goals, going past four or five people - they are strikers' goals, finishers' goals. If you've got that ability, you can do it at any level.
"I'm lucky enough to have taken a similar route through the third and second division, as it was back then. It's brilliant and I'm pleased for him. It's a great route and a great story."
Austin, who has scored eight goals in his last five games at Loftus Road, will be looking to find the net for the fourth match in a row when QPR host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Barney Corkhill
