One to Watch – Liam Lawrence

Vital QPR has pinpointed Portsmouth midfielder Liam Lawrence as the One to Watch ahead of Rangers trip to Fratton Park on Tuesday.

Name: Liam Lawrence

Date of Birth: 14/12/81

Former Clubs: Mansfield, Sunderland, Stoke

Appearances (Goals): 332 (73)

Blonde haired Liam Lawrence has already spoke of his determination to get a result against the Rs on Tuesday and with the midfielder very much the form man for his side, Rangers will have to put in another first-rate performance to keep Lawrence and Pompey quiet.

The Republic of Ireland international started his career at Mansfield Town and made over 100 appearances netting 35 league goals for the The Stags. He played a major role in helping the club reach the 2003/2004 playoff final and was one penalty shy of equalling the all time record of penalty scoring in a season where he converted 13 out of 14 penalties.

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy was quick to snap up Lawrence for a small fee of £175 000 agreed at a tribunal. A promising first season for the 28 year old saw him score 6 goals in 32 appearances and he started to make a name for himself by scoring some spectacular goals. He was relegated with Sunderland when they made only 15 points throughout the season but finished runner up to Dean Whitehead as Player of the Year.

Lawrence was initially loaned to Stoke before the move was made permanent with a £500 000 transfer fee. He became a popular figure at The Britannia Stadium and won Player of the Year at the end of the 2007/2008 season. 105 appearances for The Potters followed and he was instrumental in keeping Stoke from relegation from the Premier League.

In the summer of 2010 Lawrence was part of an exchange deal with Dave Kitson to Portsmouth which sent Marc Wilson in the other direction; however the deal was scuppered when the Football League claimed the deal had been completed after the transfer deadline. A loan move was arranged with Lawrence expected to sign permanently in January.

After a slow start to the season Lawrence has been influential in Portsmouth`s climb up the league and with a great penalty and superb free kick the Rs players will have to watch out for the midfielder as he aims to add to his impressive tally of 5 league goals already.