Queens Park Rangers forward Hamzad Kargbo is set to seal a loan move to National League South outfit Oxford City, as per a report from West London Sport.

The 20-year-old endured a reasonably unfruitful spell in the National League with Southend United earlier this term, making just five appearances in the fifth tier and returning to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in the latter stages of October.

Whether the fact the Shrimpers opted against extending his stay in the fifth tier is a damning indictment of his time there can be argued - but he's now in line to take the step down a tier in his quest to be more successful at a senior level.

 

 

His prospective loan side currently sit in fifth place, looking on course to secure their place in the play-offs, though they will want to secure an automatic route to the semi-finals by finishing two places higher.

Ross Jenkins' men have a real chance of achieving that aim too, currently sitting just three points adrift of third-placed outfit Dartford, though a title charge looks unlikely at this stage with 12 points separating them and table-toppers Maidstone United.

Scoring 58 times in 32 league games this term, they certainly haven't been shy in front of goal but will be hoping Kargbo can provide the marginal gain needed to secure their place in the top seven.

The Verdict:

At 20, this move down to the sixth tier may be a source of concern for him because he's at the stage now where he needs to be asserting himself as an established figure in the EFL, something he is yet to do.

Short loan spells won't do him any favours and it's quite clear he needs longer temporary spells away to settle into his new surroundings and thrive, so that's something for officials at the west London club to address next season.

However, a loan spell anywhere as opposed to remaining in Under-23's football is probably a good step for his development and if he can impress on this loan, he may be able to take one or two steps up the football pyramid next season.

This makes the next couple of months the most important in his career thus far and with the 20-year-old needing to impress, it will be interesting to see how he fares under real pressure to do well.

It's a shame he hasn't been able to make the step up to the second tier yet, because Mark Warburton's men could certainly benefit from more options in the forward department after failing to recruit a striker during the January transfer window.