Give Odemwingie a break - HR

Despite a number of high-profile transfers on Thursday, it was the 31-year-old's failed move to west London that grabbed many of the headlines.

Odemwingie has made no secret in recent weeks of his desire to leave West Brom and it appeared he would get his wish when he arrived at Loftus Road yesterday, telling a media scrum a move was on the cards.

However, Albion quickly released a statement saying the Nigerian was there without permission and a deal never materialised.

QPR boss Redknapp did manage to bring in Christopher Samba, Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend yesterday, but it was the one that got away that is still on his mind.

"This deal had been dragging on for about three weeks," Redknapp said. "Peter Odemwingie was a player we had been trying to sign for several weeks.

"He felt a deal was done but it wasn't done between the two clubs. There were obviously one or two sticking points.

"He travelled down and just wanted to be on the premises to get the deal done. Unfortunately, he pulled up outside the ground and the cameras were there.

"He wasn't the only player that turned up and didn't get a deal done. There were other players at football grounds yesterday and the deals didn't go through at the last minute, for whatever reasons.

"I just hope the boy is going to be okay because he is a good person and it was a mistake that has been made. Hopefully he can move on from that."

That looks unlikely at The Hawthorns after Albion chairman Jeremy Peace accused Odemwingie of acting "wholly unprofessionally".

The player is not being considered for Sunday's home match against Tottenham but Redknapp said: "Let's hope people give him an opportunity now just to move on and get on with his life," Redknapp added.

"Show me someone that hasn't made a mistake in their life and I will show you a liar.

"Everybody makes mistakes - much bigger mistakes than he's made. There are people playing football that have made massive mistakes in their lives and they're back playing football.

"The kid has made a mistake. Let's forget that now and move on and give the boy a chance. He is a good player and a good person."

Redknapp is also keen to move on from the failed deal as he looks to guide QPR out of trouble.

The Rs are bottom of the Premier League and four points adrift of safety heading into tomorrow's early kick-off against Norwich.

"The most important thing is the game," Redknapp said. "It is a big game for us tomorrow.

"We have been in good form, got a great 0-0 draw in midweek against Man City, so our league form has been good.

"We won away to Chelsea, drew with Tottenham, drew with West Ham and got a great point against Man City. It is a big game again tomorrow.

"Norwich have done well. Chrissy (Chris Hughton) has done a fantastic job with them and they had a good performance the other nigh t against Tottenham.

"It will be a tough game but we are at home and we have to be ready for it tomorrow."