Redknapp insists Taarabt has key role in helping QPR beat the drop

By David Kent

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Queen's Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp says Adel Taarabt has a major part to play in the club's Barclays Premier League survival fight as they prepare to head to Fulham on Monday.

The mercurial Moroccan was left out by Redknapp as Rangers boosted their hopes with two recent wins, before returning as a substitute in their 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa last time out.

But Redknapp rejected suggestions that his decision to leave Taarabt out of the side had anything to do with his belief that the player lacks the stomach for a tough survival fight.

Reserve: Adel Taarabt had to come off the bench against Aston Villa as QPR went down 3-2

Reserve: Adel Taarabt had to come off the bench against Aston Villa as QPR went down 3-2

Redknapp said: 'Adel was fantastic when he came on against Villa and he is still very much in the frame.

'We need Adel for the last eight games to be a part of what we are trying to do. People look at him and think he doesn't care but he does - I think he cares very much about we do.

'It's up to him. If he works hard with the ball and without the ball and does his job for the team, he's still got a big part to play.'

Decision: Harry Redknapp has had a mixed past with Taarabt at QPR and Spurs, but may need his X-factor

Decision: Harry Redknapp has had a mixed past with Taarabt at QPR and Spurs, but may need his X-factor

Redknapp insists the defeat at Villa has not knocked his belief that the club can clamber to survival, and says his side's performance in the 3-2 loss gave him extra confidence.

Redknapp added: 'Obviously ourselves and Reading are in a difficult position but there are seven or eight other teams involved in it.

'I still feel we can get out of it and nothing has changed my belief. We played so well at Villa we could have come in at half-time three or four up. We've got to go on a little run now and get the results we need.

Strike: Andreas Weimann scoring for Villa as they moved clear of the relegation zone

Strike: Andreas Weimann scoring for Villa as they moved clear of the relegation zone

'If we were in bad form we'd be more worried. We're playing very well, we're in a good form so it gives us a chance.

'At least we're going into the last eight games knowing we're playing well. If we were going into it playing very poorly I'd be more worried. I still think there are four or five wins left in us.'

Redknapp has no more injury concerns following the international break, with striker Bobby Zamora back in contention after using the break to rid himself of his problematic knee injury.

 

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

mr johnson.. dont be a prize plum!! it aint over yet pal. Rangers in the blood !!!!

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Rangers will stay up, not worried in the slightest

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Am I the only one that thinks he is absolutely awful? Big fat greedy guy trying and failing to skill everyone is all I ever see when watching him. He's probably the reason QPR can't get goals because he's always shooting from about 40 yards thinking he's Ronaldo!

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its a bit un-fair to single him out, theres at 20 other mis-fits there

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Have you looked at the table lately 'Arry? It's too late! You are already done and dusted!

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