23. Jake Cole

Jake Cole is a product of the QPR youth set up and is highly rated by the staff at Loftus Road.

Cole is a young goalkeeper who is an excellent shot stopper and is improving all of the time.

Cole played the first half of a pre season game against Crystal Palace last summer where he kept a clean sheet against the Premierships top goalscorers Andy Johnson.

Cole found himself on the bench for most of this season before the arrival of Simon Royce, which allowed him to move out on loan and gain some first team experience.

Cole saved a penalty on his debut for AFC Wimbledon and was hugely impressive during that loan spell.

2004/05 was a frustrating season for Jake Cole but one which has seen him make his full debut for the first team. Cole looked set to start the season as first choice after an injury to Simon Royce but he recovered in time for the first game leaving Cole on the bench.

The bench was where Cole stayed for the first half of the season until he was called into action after Royce was sent off against Coventry. His first action was to face a late penalty which he came close to saving but was denied the chance to become a hero.

Cole started the next game at Brighton and after a shaky start where his defence did him no favours he went on to win the man of the match award with an inspired performance. Cole produced save after save as he grew in confidence and looked a more than able deputy for Simon Royce.

A month later injury to Royce should have given Cole an extended run in the side but he picked up an injury and had to sit and watch as Rangers signed first Phil Barnes then Paul Jones to keep goal.

Cole did recover and played in one last game against the champions Reading. Again it was only a penalty that beat him as he performed excellently. He made several crucial saves including one spectacular one from a overhead kick. Cole will be frustrated to have missed out on an extended run in the side but when he has played he has never let the side down and looks an excellent prospect.

Last season he found himself down behind Paul Jones and Simon Royce in the pecking order but he did enough to impress John Gregory and eventually move to the number two keeper. He impressed in the last two games of the season when he was given a chance as his handling and shot stopping earned him rave reviews from the fans and he looked to have a decent future ahead of him.

First team opportunities have been hard to come by since due to injuries and form of Lee Camp. Jake Cole may well decide to move on in the hope of finding regular first team football.