QPR manager Harry Redknapp believes Charlie Austin deserves a new contract with the club.
The 25-year old striker netted a splendid hat-trick as the R's came from behind to defeat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at Loftus Road on Saturday to take his season tally to 11 goals from 15 appearances.
It was reported that the former Burnley man, who returned from suspension to down the Baggies, turned down a new deal with the west London club of which Redknapp said he knew nothing about.
Former bricklayer Austin, who has worked his way through England's lower leagues, is contracted with QPR until June 2016 but it is believed the club is trying to tie him down following reports of interest from both Liverpool and Newcastle United.
"I don't get involved with the contracts," Redknapp said.
"Certainly Charlie is a player you want to keep at your football club. He has scored goals at every level and now he is scoring goals in the Premier League, he deserves it because he is a great lad."
Austin's treble, the first by a QPR player in England's to flight in 21 years, will attract all the headlines but Redknapp felt his team's willingness to work hard as well as the star striker's defensive efforts also contributed heavily to the victory.
"Charlie scored the goals and has been excellent for us but we showed a lot of character to come back from two down," he added.
"Everyone talks about his three goals but his defending at the end of the game, he makes a challenge in the corner that was unbelievable, you would've thought it was a right-back.
"If that ball had come into the box we could have been in trouble but that summed up his work-rate up today, he worked his socks off for the team."
