Chris Powell will be given the QPR manager's post, should current boss Harry Redknapp resign, according to The Mirror.

Powell, 44, was sacked by bottom-of-the-table Charlton Athletic on Tuesday but was linked with the job at QPR before he left The Valley. Despite his team sitting 24th in the league this season, the former England international still had firm backing from the fans, having guided Charlton to finish 9th in the Championship last term after being promoted as Champions from League 1 in 2012.

Powell, who played as a left back, had three separate spells as player for Charlton and made over 250 appearances before rejoining as manager in 2011. The ex-Leicester coach was in talks over a new deal with owner Roland Dechatelet, who bought the club in January, but the club was unable to agree on terms over the contract and Powell was subsequently dismissed.

Chris Powell, sacked as Charlton Athletic boss last week, linked with QPR post should Harry Redknapp lose his job

Redknapp on the other hand has been at Loftus Road since November 2012. He took over as boss from Mark Hughes and was tasked with keeping the relegation-threatened club in the Premier League. He was unable to do so and The R's were relegated last season, but they were widely expected to make an immediate return and were the bookmakers' favourites to win the Championship this season. A poor run of form however has seen QPR slide out of the automatic promotion places after winning only two games from their last eight.

It was rumoured from before the start of the season that Redknapp would leave Loftus Road if they failed to regain Premier League status, and with league leaders Leicester now 17 points in front of them, QPR are looking less and less likely to do so. The two-time Portsmouth boss, who was almost named England manager in 2012, is also rumoured to be suffering from a serious knee problem and, if his condition worsens, he is expected to resign from his post and possibly even retire from football.

Five-time England international Powell is known for his patience, passion and loyalty to his team, and is seen by many as an ideal replacement for 67 year old Redknapp, despite only having less than two years experience of managing in the Championship. The circulating rumours of his appointment are likely to receive a mixed response from QPR fans, who in recent times are used to big name signings and managers with Premier League experience, but would surely welcome a new start with a younger, talented manager with fresh ideas.