QPR midfielder Luke Freeman has exclusively revealed that his head was turned with interest from promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough. 

Speaking to West London Sport, the 26-year-old admitted his difficulty at trying not to take notice of Middlesbrough's interest in him.

Freeman acknowledged: 'It was difficult. I’d be lying if I said my head wasn’t turned, because to some extent it was.

'When you’re a player and there’s the possibility of joining a club that might well be in the Premier League next season, of course that’s something you think about.'

Freeman has started all 12 league games for Steve McClaren's QPR side and has scored and assisted once this season as QPR sit precariously in 18th position, just five points off the relegation zone.

'Every player wants to play in the Premier League and I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t on my mind when that (interest in him) was happening.'

However, the former Stevenage midfielder did admit that he was happy at Loftus Road this season.

'But what I can just as honestly say is that I’m very happy at QPR and always have been. I’ve always loved it there.'

Freeman's comments are likely to be met with a mixed reaction from QPR fans, who would have been overjoyed at the news that Freeman stayed after the summer transfer window.

QPR travel to Ipswich Town in search of their third away win of the season, with Ipswich searching for their first home win of the season in what will be an evenly contested game.

The verdict

It's in a footballer's nature to want to progress further in the higher leagues so you can't be frustrated with Freeman's comments as he is just speaking the truth.

As a footballer, you are going to want to play at the highest standard possible and at this moment in time, Middlesbrough are more likely to achieve that than QPR and deep down, Rangers fans will know that.

It's just a frustrating situation and it remains to be seen how Freeman will react whilst wearing the hoops, and it could go downhill from here, or he could take QPR up the table with his impressive creative flair.