• Premier League

QPR stars will stay if relegated - Beard

Joey Barton is on a big contract at QPR © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: My head was in Paris - Taarabt
  

QPR chief executive Philip Beard claims the club will be able to hang on to their top players even if they are relegated from the Premier League.

QPR are third from bottom but have invested heavily in players over the last year, and appointed Mark Hughes as manager in January after sacking Neil Warnock. A number of the players' contracts are thought to guarantee them similar salaries even if they are relegated.

Beard said at the Soccerex conference in Manchester: "We were very active in the 10 days after the takeover in August and fairly active in January and I'll stand behind every single one of those contracts irrespective of what happens.

"If we do not stay up, I anticipate the vast majority will stay at QPR to try and help us get back. We've gone into this with our eyes wide open. Our aim is to find a stabilised position in the Premier League over the next few years."

Beard said QPR were looking to build a new stadium and though attracted by the idea of ground-sharing ruled out doing so with their nearest club Chelsea.

Rugby union side Wasps used to play at Loftus Road and, asked if a rugby club could share a new stadium, Beard added: "It could be other sports. There's no reason why a football stadium can't host a boxing match, potentially rugby, tennis tournaments, anything.

"I do think there's a platform where discussions would take place on success and viability of ground-sharing but at the moment that's very emotional for football fans. I can't envisage QPR sharing a ground with Chelsea Football Club.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.