Bradford City's out of favour striker Robert Steiner is to stay with Queens Park Rangers for a second month.

Steiner has made only two substitute appearances during his first month at Loftus Road so manager Gerry Francis has asked for more time to have a further look at him.

The tall Swede was dogged by a groin infection when he first moved to West London but was on the bench for QPR's 3-0 win over City at Valley Parade last Saturday.

The clubs agreed a £300,000 fee before the first month's loan was sanctioned.

And City are hoping that a permanent deal can be arranged.

Steiner, who was regular last season after joining City from Norkopping for £500,000 in the 1997 close season, does not figure in manager Paul Jewell's plans.

The signing of Lee Mills for £1 million and Isaiah Rankin for a record £1.3 million at the start of the season and the return to fitness of Gordon Watson left City with a surplus of strikers, including Steiner.

Jewell said: "Gerry Francis spoke to me earlier this week and requested an extension to the loan.

"He is keen to get a longer look at Rob but he is still very interested in making the transfer permanent."

Francis believes that Steiner has good skill and pace, two assets he would like to add to his squad.

His biggest stumbling block may yet prove to be the fee as Rangers are currently strapped for cash.

City have been busily off loading their surplus strikers this season.

John McGinlay, who cost a then club record £625,000 when he was signed from Bolton last November, had his contract cancelled by mutual consent while Brazilian Edinho has gone on a three-month loan to Scottish Premier Division club Dunfermline with the view to a permanent transfer.

Releasing McGinlay represented a big saving on wages and transfers for Edinho and Steiner would further ease the salary burden and bring in valuable funds.

City have decided not to pursue their interest in Blackburn youngsters, midfieldman Luke Staton and winger Lee Fitzpatrick.

The two players, who have been told they can leave Blackburn, had trained with City for a week and played for the reserves in the 3-0 defeat at Wrexham on Wednesday.

The feeling is that they are no better than City's other young players. Jewell said: "We didn't think they could straight into our first team and that is what we are looking for at their age."

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