- Last Meeting (Newcastle won 1-0) QPR: Kenny, Young, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Hill, Wright-Phillips, Derry, Buzsaky, Mackie, Helguson, Bothroyd. Subs: Cerny, Orr, Hall, Campbell, Smith, Ephraim, Macheda.
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QPR's BILLY TWOMEY one of the Promising young Goalies Called up for Special England Goalie Training  The FA |
MIRROR - No Camp: Taarabt claims Barcelona are after him but insists he's staying at QPR
But Hoops' main hope of dodging the drop also reiterates
that if Morocco call him up for next month's Africa Cup of Nations then
he'll HAVE to go
But the Morocco midfielder, who kick-started Rangers’ relegation fight with both goals in the win over Fulham on Saturday, insisted he plans to defy boss Harry Redknapp by going to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Taarabt, who played under Redknapp at Spurs, has previously caught the eyes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
He put in an inspired display to give QPR their first win in 17 Premier League games this season on Saturday, and has now claimed that two of the biggest clubs in Europe now want to sign him next month.
“I have been told that the president of Anzhi and people from Barcelona have asked about me,” said the 23-year-old.
“But I have just signed a four-year contract with QPR, and the chairman Tony Fernandes has told me that he will not sell me.
“I don’t know what would happen if someone offered £20million for me. But I love the club and the fans, and they love me too.”
Taarabt, however, hopes new Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi will hand him a recall for next month’s tournament in South Africa.
“Harry Redknapp told me not to go,” the midfielder said. “But I told him, ‘Boss, if they call me up, I can’t turn them down.’
“I love my country and the Moroccan people, and football means a lot to them. I warned him the only solution would be if the coach does not pick me.
“I can’t refuse to go [if selected].
"The coach is not obliged to choose me. It would hurt not to go, but I will be Morocco’s No.1 fan if I am not there at the finals.”
Taarabt hailed Redknapp as a “peerless motivator” who makes him feel like “the best player in the world” - and the midfielder now believes QPR can escape the drop despite needing 17 league games to notch their first win.
“It has not been easy for us, but we had gone three games unbeaten before Saturday and there was not much wrong,” he maintained.
“At times, we had been very, very good. We just lacked that bit of good fortune.”
Taarabt, who played under Redknapp at Spurs, has previously caught the eyes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
He put in an inspired display to give QPR their first win in 17 Premier League games this season on Saturday, and has now claimed that two of the biggest clubs in Europe now want to sign him next month.
“I have been told that the president of Anzhi and people from Barcelona have asked about me,” said the 23-year-old.
“But I have just signed a four-year contract with QPR, and the chairman Tony Fernandes has told me that he will not sell me.
“I don’t know what would happen if someone offered £20million for me. But I love the club and the fans, and they love me too.”
Taarabt, however, hopes new Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi will hand him a recall for next month’s tournament in South Africa.
“Harry Redknapp told me not to go,” the midfielder said. “But I told him, ‘Boss, if they call me up, I can’t turn them down.’
“I love my country and the Moroccan people, and football means a lot to them. I warned him the only solution would be if the coach does not pick me.
“I can’t refuse to go [if selected].
"The coach is not obliged to choose me. It would hurt not to go, but I will be Morocco’s No.1 fan if I am not there at the finals.”
Taarabt hailed Redknapp as a “peerless motivator” who makes him feel like “the best player in the world” - and the midfielder now believes QPR can escape the drop despite needing 17 league games to notch their first win.
“It has not been easy for us, but we had gone three games unbeaten before Saturday and there was not much wrong,” he maintained.
“At times, we had been very, very good. We just lacked that bit of good fortune.”
West London Sport - Dave McIntyre - More injury woe puts Dyer’s future in doubt
QPR are unsure when Kieron Dyer will be available for selection following his latest injury.
The former England international, who
has been beset by fitness issues in recent years, recently returned to
training after a calf problem.
But he is still not ready for
first-team action and his outing at Manchester United last month is his
only appearance for Rangers since September.
Dyer was named in the club’s 25-man
Premier League squad earlier this season but is unlikely to be included
when squad lists are resubmitted early in the new year.
Manager Harry Redknapp said: “He’s
injured. He might be an option if he’s fit, but he’s not. He’s having
treatment at the moment.” West London Sport
TABLE After Last Newcastle-QPR Meeting (QPR 17 Points from 21 Games)
- Bottom Ten
Everton 21 25
Sunderland 21 24
Aston Villa 21 24
Fulham 21 23
WBA 21 22
Wolves 21 18
Blackburn 21 17
QPR 21 17
Bolton 21 16
Wigan 20 15
Sunderland 21 24
Aston Villa 21 24
Fulham 21 23
WBA 21 22
Wolves 21 18
Blackburn 21 17
QPR 21 17
Bolton 21 16
Wigan 20 15
CURRENT TABLE
Man Utd 17 42
Man City 17 36
Chelsea 16 29
Tottenham 17 29
Everton 17 27
Man City 17 36
Chelsea 16 29
Tottenham 17 29
Everton 17 27
Arsenal 17 27
West Brom 17 27
Norwich 17 25
Stoke 17 24
Swansea 17 23
West Ham 17 23
Liverpool 17 22
Fulham 17 20
Aston Villa 17 18
Newcastle 17 17
Sunderland 17 16
Southampton 16 15
Wigan 17 15
QPR 17 10
Reading 17 9
West Brom 17 27
Norwich 17 25
Stoke 17 24
Swansea 17 23
West Ham 17 23
Liverpool 17 22
Fulham 17 20
Aston Villa 17 18
Newcastle 17 17
Sunderland 17 16
Southampton 16 15
Wigan 17 15
QPR 17 10
Reading 17 9