One to Watch – Joe Garner

On loan striker Joe Garner has been identified by Vital QPR as the One to Watch as the Rs travel to Glanford Park on Saturday.

Name: Joe Garner

Date of Birth: 12/04/1988

Former Clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Carlisle United, Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town

Appearances (Goals): 119 (32)

Young striker Joe Garner has a wealth of undoubted talent, and is on an impressive goal scoring run for loan club Scunthorpe. Having joined from fellow Championship club Nottingham Forest until the end of the season Garner will be determined to help his side, currently sitting at the bottom of the table, make things as difficult as possible for visiting side Queens Park Rangers.

Garner started his career at Blackburn Rovers becoming a prominent figure in the youth and reserve sides. He made his breakthrough into the first team, however opportunities under manager Mark Hughes failed to transpire and after falling down the pecking order behind the likes of Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz he was eventually sent on loan to Carlisle United.

An initial loan spell saw him score 5 times in 18 league appearances at Brunton Park and the Cumbrians were delighted to sign him on a permanent deal – a then club record £140 000 transfer – at the beginning of the 2007/2008 season. Garner`s reputation soon blossomed further and less than a year and 14 league goals later, he made a £1.14 million move to Nottingham Forest.

He made an impressive start to his Forest career scoring five goals in quick succession, however under new manager Billy Davies he struggled to hold down a regular first team place in the 2009/2010 season. Usually adopted as a right sided player he was soon sent out on loan to Huddersfield Town. He spent six months at the Galpharm however without scoring a single goal he soon returned to the City Ground.

On 31 January 2011 Garner joined current club Scunthorpe on loan and with already four league goals in eight appearances, the Rs will be have to wary of a decisive Garner looking to help The Iron climb out of the relegation zone.