Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could replace Mark Hughes at QPR

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has emerged as a shock candidate to replace Mark Hughes at QPR.

Hughes, who saved QPR from relegation on the last day of last season after replacing Neil Warnock in January, has presided over a woeful start to the current campaign and is facing intense speculation over his future at Loftus Road.

QPR's 3-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday extended their winless start to the season to 12 games and left them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Harry Redknapp has emerged as an early front-runner to take over if Hughes is sacked but sources in France claim senior QPR officials have targeted Benitez to replace the Welshman.

The Spaniard, who led Liverpool to Champions League and FA Cup glory during his six-year spell at Anfield, has been out of work since leaving Inter Milan in 2010.