Paulo Sousa was in the dark over Dexter loan

Paulo Sousa has confirmed leading goalscorer Dexter Blackstock was loaned to Nottingham Forest without his knowledge.

Blackstock scored 12 goals for QPR this season, who are still just seven points off the play-offs after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, but owner Flavio Briatore apparently decided to loan him at a crucial time.

Sousa said: "I gave the players two days off after the Bristol City game and when I came back Gianni Paladini told me he had an agreement [for Blackstock] to go on loan. It is a decision for the board and only they can answer it."

Charlton earned a morale-boosting 3-2 win over relegation rivals Southampton thanks to goals from Jonjo Shelvey, Therry Racon and Nicky Bailey.

Watford beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 away thanks to Don Cowie's winner but it came at a cost, as the Hornets picked up injuries to Cowie, Danny Rose and Tamas Priskin.