Jimmy Dunne interest: QPR will want to avoid these 2 nightmare transfer scenarios this January | OneFootball

FLW looks at some of the scenarios which Marti Cifuentes will hope to avoid

Queens Park Rangers have enjoyed a strong run of results and performances under Marti Cifuentes of late, and the Spaniard will be hoping such positivity continues throughout the crucial month of January.

Earlier on in the campaign, the R's found themselves at the foot of the Championship, but have gone on to accumulate 24 points in their last 11 outings, with five victories coming at Loftus Road during that timeframe.

Cifuentes demonstrated his highly commendable tactical nous last term, and such an upturn has once again vindicated the decision to stick by him, and allow the West London side to keep building an identity under his guidance, despite not having the financial power in comparison to many other sides in the league.

Rangers have had to be extremely savvy in the market in recent years, and must continue that approach if they are to have a strong second half of the campaign, as they are currently eight points away from sixth and nine away from Hull City in 22nd.

And, as a result of such momentum building in this corner of West London, FLW has looked at two nightmare scenarios the Hoops can't afford to happen this window.

Uncertainty over Jimmy Dunne's future

The first of two scenarios which Cifuentes will hope to avoid, and has managed to thus far, is any continued uncertainty over the future of defensive lynchpin, Jimmy Dunne.

Dunne has been a crucial figure for Rangers this term, continuing where he left off last season, which saw him sign a one-year contract extension at Loftus Road.

The centre-back is a constant threat from set-pieces, proven by his four Championship goals thus far, as well as being a key part of six clean sheets with the winning of 7.5 duels per game, as well as only being beaten by opposition strikers 0.3 times per game on top of other extremely impressive metrics.

The Irishman revealed last month that talks over yet another extension had not taken place between himself or the club, and given his performance levels under Cifuentes, that is bound to perk interest from elsewhere.

Harry Darling of Swansea City is another centre-back in a similar boat, and the man who has less than six months left on his contract in South Wales has already attracted interest from Birmingham City and Bristol City.

For all parties involved, it is imperative that Dunne's contractual situation is resolved as soon as possible before other clubs consider a potential cut-price deal or pre-contract agreement.

Despite managing to climb up the second tier table, QPR will be hoping to add further firepower to their ranks for the remainder of the season, with the club's top scorer - Michael Frey - sitting on a tally of just five Championship goals amid injury issues.

Despite reports of summer recruit Zan Celar being offered to Werder Bremen - before Cifuentes outlined his stance involving the Slovenian frontman as a player he'd like to continue utilising - the former Hammarby boss is in need of further bodies in this department.

Therefore, reports suggesting that Rangers have lodged an offer for Brisbane Roar's 19-year-old striker, Thomas Waddingham, tick a lot of boxes.

The young forward has gone on to find the net more than 10 times since making his A-League breakthrough last term, and is clearly rated by sides in a similar predicament to the Hoops as Stoke City were linked in the summer, whilst the most recent update from Code Sports has also namedropped Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth, as well as previous talk about a move to Middlesbrough.

A report from talkSPORT last month stated that the powerful centre-forward is likely to demand a six-figure fee, which, in turn, could once again showcase the R's smart recruitment in the market, and Waddingham would add a different dimension to their attack.

However, there is always the danger that any of the previously mentioned sides could feel the need to act urgently, which has the potential to jeopardise a potential move to Loftus Road, creating the risk of someone who could slip under the net and go on to aid a play-off push for the Owls or Boro instead of helping the West Londoners push into the top-half at a bare minimum.