QPR director of football Les Ferdinand will travel to Dundee to personally scout Lawrence Shankland this weekend.

The former Newcastle and England striker has been monitoring Shankland at Dundee United and has had club scouts watch the Scotland cap a number of times already.

However, as the race for Shankland's signature hots up given his red-hot form, Ferdinand has decided to mark his interest with a more personal touch and will watch at Tannadice as Dundee United take on Hibs in the Scottish Cup.

Lawrence Shankland is good enough to net 50 goals this season, claims Dundee Utd teammate Appere

Celtic, Rangers, Blackpool and Middlesbrough are all among a number of clubs who have registered an interest in Shankland this season. The former Ayr United man has scored an incredible 25 goals in 26 games this season for the Arabs.

It is understood to be highly unlikely that Dundee United will allow the player to leave this month. So a move in the summer - potentially after he helps them to promotion - looks the most probable.

We can also exclusively reveal that QPR are interested in United's left-back Jamie Robson.

The defender has played 21 times this season but could be in line for a move to Loftus Road should Rangers make their move.