Has Dexter Blackstock gone for good?

Dexter Blackstock has scored more goals than any other Rangers player this season, so from a distance, the neutral can only help but wonder what the hell we're playing at, shipping him out on loan with six games to play.

But in reality, even the arm-chair follower will have noticed that he's been alarmingly poor of late; no goal in nine and no stand out performances either.

Even at his best this year, he's managed to stir up frustration and joy in equal measure. So often it's been a case of another spurned chance that should have rippled the back of the net, borne out of a magical burst of pace no other player would find; frustration personified.

The arrival of Heider Helguson could have lifted his game, perhaps made him realise that a good understanding would be a huge boost to our play-off credentials, but instead coincided with a badly timed dip in form.

He's a player desperately short of confidence. He can't score for toffee at the moment, so the move looks to be exactly what he needs - a brand new lease of life. He may even find the form and goals that keep Forest in the Championship. And his last game of the season will be at the City Ground against his former club Southampton, who are also struggling to stay up.

It wouldn't surprise me if he turns out to be the match winner, because although he's been poor recently, what he does have is a knack of reminding his critics what he can do, just as they begin to write him off. A fantastic late header against Preston this season springs to mind straight away.

But even so, would an in-form Dexter Blackstock, brimming with confidence, still be good enough for a side with ambitions of topping the table next year? Well, if you believe what's been written in recent months, then he's been attracting interest from Fulham, so move along Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora!

Now don't get me wrong, I think Dexter has been fantastic for us in terms of effort and commitment, and at times his performances have been fantastic and his goals crucial, but I don't think I'm the only one who finds the rumour a bit hard to believe. If Fulham fancy splashing out £2million plus on Dexter Blackstock, then Liverpool should be snapping up Lee Cook for £15million.

It looks increasingly likely that regardless of what happens for Dexter between now and May, his future will lie away from Loftus Road. If he does return to fight for his place, and it makes him a better player, then he could yet be a very useful asset. But judging by recent events, you could be forgiven for deciding that genuine competition for places isn't really his bag.