Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: Charlie Austin will not be "pinched"

New Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has insisted that he will not allow striker Charlie Austin to be "pinched" in the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs ahead of the re-opening of the window next month.

However, Hasselbaink has warned potential suitors that he will not be allowing Austin to leave on a cheap deal after expressing his desire to work with the forward.

He told reporters: "You don't pinch. He's not going to be pinched. I'm looking forward to working with Charlie, and I'm looking forward to working with everyone else as well.

"Charlie Austin is a very important individual at this club but it's a team game. I want to have a team. I don't want individuals. You need a team and eventually teams win you titles. Individuals win just the game.

"We need to hit the ground with both feet, not one, and concentrate on a Saturday, and the league will take care of itself. That's the easiest way, and that's the best way."

Austin has scored eight goals in 14 matches for the R's this season.