This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

QPR scouted Lawrence Shankland during Dundee United's 4-1 Championship win over Partick Thistle on the weekend, according to the Daily Record, where on-fire Shankland bagged a hat-trick for table-toppers United.

Mark Warburton's side are weighing-up a bid for the striker at the end of the season, with QPR director of football Les Ferdinand having also watched Shankland in the Dundee derby.

So would Shankland be a good signing for the R's and is he actually needed?

We discuss........

Dean Cooke

"The bottom line is that Shankland scores goals and any side in the Championship looking for a cheap punt on a striker, then he would be a good person to go for.

"He's already netted 22 goals in just 19 league games so far in the current campaign and there's no reason why he couldn't keep scoring if he went to QPR purely based on how many chances Mark Warburton's side creates per game.

"Is he needed? Well, yes you can always need more goals. Is it what QPR needs right now? Probably not. They need to focus on their defensive players and ensure that they try and stop their horrific defensive record.

"They have shown through Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill that there's goals within the team but haven''t shown that they keep them out at the other end. Shankland would be a good signing but only if they rectify their defensive problems as well."

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Josh Cole

“This could prove to be a shrewd addition by QPR if they can convince Shankland to make the move to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

“One of the stand-out performers in Scotland’s second-tier this season, the forward has fired in 19 league goals for Dundee United to help his side climb to the top of the standings.

“Having reportedly sent scouts to watch Shankland fire in an impressive hat-trick against Partick Thistle at the weekend, QPR ought to consider taking a punt on a player who could become a quality operator in the Championship under the guidance of Mark Warburton.

“Although the Hoops are thought to be holding out for a bid until the end of the season, it may be worth signing the 24-year-old now as he could end up playing a key role in the club’s play-off push in the coming months.”

George Harbey

"Shankland is a really exciting prospect and I'm sure a lot of people would be eager to see how he got on in the Championship having been so prolific in the Scottish Championship.

"The amount of goals he's scored in the past couple of years has been staggering, but it would be interesting to see whether he could hit the ground running in England where he is somewhat out of his comfort zone.

"Out of all the areas to strengthen, you would say that QPR don't really need to bolster their attacking options, with Nahki Wells scoring plenty of goals this term.

"But it would be so hard to turn down a player like Shankland, whose goal record in these past two seasons has been nothing short of remarkable for Ayr United and Dundee United."