QPR boss Harry Redknapp doesn't expect new contract talks with Charlie Austin to kickoff until season's end.
Redknapp warned Rs bosses it was unlikely a striker with 11 goals already was going to want to stay at a Championship club.
The manager explained: "We've got to stay in this division first because Charlie has proved he's a Premier League player.
"He's scored his goals and he hasn't had a million chances to do so. Had he been in a side battering other teams, he could have had 20 goals by now."
Austin has 18 months of his current deal to run, but it looks as if summer will either rock or cement the former bricklayer's future.
"When he's into the last year of his contract it's a different proposition," said Harry.