Hughes hopeful of January signings

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes admits he is planning a series of signings during the January transfer window as he tries to lift his struggling side out of the Premier League relegation zone. Hughes got a first glimpse of his new team's problems during their 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday, as sloppy finishing and careless defending allowed the Magpies to steal the points. QPR are languishing in the bottom three after nine games without a win and Hughes has already been linked with a host of players, including Chelsea defender Alex, Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba Veijeany and Sao Paulo striker Henrique. Former Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Wales manager Hughes confirmed he is searching the market for players who can improve his squad. "It's fair to say we are in the market for good players if they become available and if they are attainable," he said after Leon Best's first-half goal condemned QPR to defeat by Newcastle. "We would like to think the players we are able to bring in would be the right quality, and I am sure they would be." Asked about Samba, Hughes added: "It's common knowledge we've put in a bid for Chris Samba. We have a number of players we would like to bring to the club. We'll have to wait and see."