Queens Park Rangers winger David Wheeler has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan, the R's have confirmed.

The 27-year-old signed a three-year deal for the R's in August 2017, but he has seen his career at Loftus Road blighted by injury.

Having signed from League Two Exeter City, the winger suffered an ankle injury in January and has been out since recovering from surgery and actioning a course of rehabilitation.

With the pacy wide-man fit again, there were a plethora of clubs chasing the QPR player. 

Plymouth Argyle, Coventry City and Milton Keynes Dons were all interested according to TEAMTalk.

But it is Kenny Jackett’s Pompey side that have won the race to sign the in-demand winger.

Wheeler made nine appearances for QPR last season scoring his only goal in a 3-2 defeat to Middlesbrough before his ankle injury.

The Verdict

With all of Queens Park Rangers problems at present, you would have expected Wheeler to get his chance under the new manager Steve McClaren having just recovered from injury.

It is odd that he will not be given a chance at Loftus Road, instead, he looks to be heading out on loan.

The club want and need experienced players, and Wheeler is older than many of the current squad, but their loss is Portsmouth’s gain.

Kenny Jackett will get a player who will thrive in League One and be given a consistent run of games to find form and fitness as Pompey aim to make a return the Championship.

It will be a chance for Wheeler to show what QPR are missing, should the Rs struggle and the League One carry on their positive start the new campaign.

It could be a mistake for McClaren, but only time will tell if it is the right decision.