QPR are ready to pounce for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

Bent and Villa were forced to deny allegations of a rift between the striker and manager Alex McLeish after he was pictured shopping during the club's defeat to Liverpool.

The Daily Express says QPR have been alerted to the fact Bent, 27, could be unsettled and sources close to the club believe the former Tottenham and Charlton man may be tempted by the chance of a return to London.

Villa signed Bent for £24million just under a year ago and would want to recoup a large slice of that fee.