Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp has challenged Charlie Austin to score 20 Premier League goals for the Londoners this season.

The former Burnley striker has scored six times in his first 10 games, and Redknapp believes that the ex-bricklayer is ready to prove his worth in the top flight.

"I think he's improved," Redknapp is quoted as saying by Get West London. "Now he's showing that he can score in the Premier League so he's just got to keep doing that now. His target's got to be as near to 20 goals as he can this year and if he does that he's proved he's a Premier League goalscorer.

"Charlie's a good lad. He's a bit of a throwback really, he just gets on with it. Every day wants to train, never a minute's problem, never complains and enjoys being a footballer. I wish they were all like him – very easy to manage. Not a minute's problem.

"Les Ferdinand, Stuart Pearce, Ian Wright, Alan Pardew played non-league. There were so many of them in those days. It was just a conveyor belt of players out of non-league."

Redknapp's side travel to the North-East to take on in-form Newcastle United this afternoon.