Dawson edging closer as Connolly departs

Michael Dawson will hold talks with QPR in the next 24-48 hours as the London club look to tie up a deal for the Tottenham defender

Despite landing a number of high-profile signings this summer, QPR began their season with a 5-0 home loss to Swansea on Saturday. The defeat, which came in front of Hoops owner Tony Fernandes, looks to have convinced Rangers boss Mark Hughes that he needs defensive reinforcements and the Welshman on Wednesday agreed a season-long loan deal with Real Madrid to sign former Chelsea defender Riccardo Carvalho. Carvalho, 34, enjoyed six successful seasons at Stamford Bridge before moving to the Spanish champions in 2010, but he is now surplus to requirements. Meanwhile, those prospective arrivals have seen versatile defender Matthew Connolly leave QPR and sign for Cardiff for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old joined the R's in 2008 and he went on to play a big part in their Championship title-winning campaign of 2010/11. However, he struggled to make an impact at Loftus Road last season and spent the latter part of the campaign on loan at Reading, again tasting promotion to the top flight.