SAINTS defender Ronnie Edwards has joined struggling Championship side QPR on loan until the end of the season.

The 21 year old returns to England's second-tier, having played in the Championship for Peterborough United previously, in a bid for more minutes.

Edwards joined Saints for £3million on a four-year deal in the summer from League One side Peterborough but has seen his game time restricted.

The centre-back has only played once in the Premier League, coming on in the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea, and once in the Carabao Cup.

Most of his minutes have come for the under-21s in the Premier League 2, where he played under former interim boss Simon Rusk.

QPR, managed by Marti Cifuentes, sit 17th in the Championship, five points clear of the relegation zone, having played an additional game.

It is unclear if Edwards has been registered in time to make his debut when QPR face Watford at 12:30.

When speaking to the Daily Echo earlier this season, Edwards explained that his first few months on the south coast have been a learning curve.

"I'd say I have been finding my feet, just getting used to it. Now it's just sort of being patient and waiting for my turn," he said.

"I'm always a team player. I'm always going to be good around the boys and never be a bad egg. It's just waiting now and hopefully, I get my opportunity.

"Learning our way of playing took a little while at the start but I feel like now I know how we want to play and it's just being patient."

Ronnie Edwards (right) and fellow England youth international Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA) The England youth international made his Premier League debut as a second half substitute in Southampton's 5-1 thrashing against Chelsea.

Edwards has not made a matchday squad since Ivan Juric's appointment, and with Armel Bella-Kotchap back in the plans, his chances of playing have dropped further.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes Edwards will eventually become a "£50million player" when he reaches his full potential.