Ryan Nelsen seeks QPR exit after accepting Toronto FC manager job

Defender wanted to make swtch

Nelsen: First-team regular for QPR (PA)

Ryan Nelsen's future at Queen's Park Rangers is shrouded in mystery after the defender today agreed to become head coach of Major League Soccer club Toronto FC.

The 35-year-old has been a key player for relegation-threatened QPR this season, making 21 appearances in all competitions since moving to Loftus Road in the summer. Nelsen's deal runs until the end of the season but he hopes to negotiate an early exit from Harry Redknapp's side for when the MLS season starts in March. It is understood that Redknapp hopes to persuade him to stay until the end of the campaign.

"I've had several conversations with Harry and [the QPR chairman] Tony Fernandes," Nelsen said at a press conference in Canada today. "They have been so understanding with my situation. They understand that when I play I am playing on glass knees and glass ankles. It is a bit of a struggle.

"They know I am at the end but they also know the predicament they are in. It is a major predicament.

"They would like me to keep playing but we have to sit down and talk. If we can get five straight wins, that'd be perfect. I think then we can shake hands [and part company] but we are just going to have to talk and see how things progress."

QPR have released Kieron Dyer just days after the midfielder scored his first goal for the club against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup. Dyer, whose career has been beset by injury, made just eight appearances for QPR, whom he joined in July 2011.