Frustrated goalkeeper Rob Green 'counting the days' until QPR exit

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green has expressed his frustration at being frozen out by QPR.

The 36-year-old has not played for the London club since January 1, losing his place because he would earn a contract extension if he plays 30 Sky Bet Championship games this term.

Rangers - currently 11th in the table - are seemingly keen to offload Green in a bid to reduce the wage bill, but that leaves the former Norwich and West Ham stopper with lots of spare time on his hands as he counts the days until he can depart.

Green told the Daily Mail: "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink spoke to me soon after he arrived (as manager). He said, 'Look, it's nothing personal but because of budgets and things you're not going to make the 30 games'.

"I played one more game on New Year's Day then missed a couple through illness, and by then Alex Smithies was fit and available. I guess they figured they might as well make the change then."

He continued: "I'm not massively angry. I'm not going into training wanting to kill people. After 20 years in professional football you have seen it all, so it never really surprises you.

"But it's the first time in my life I'm sat around on a Saturday afternoon not doing anything. I didn't go into football to earn money. It was because I liked playing football. It took me six weeks to get my head around it."

Green says he is "desperate to play" and is looking forward to finding new employment when his deal expires in June.

"I am counting the days," he added. "It's like a sponsored keep fit, keeping fit until the summer so I can hit the ground running when I hopefully do get another club.

"I can apply a bit of perspective. We are very fortunate to do this job. But I'm desperate to play because this is hurting me."