QPR manager Neil Warnock hits out at Adel Taarabt 'advisors'

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QPR manager Neil Warnock has pleaded with Adel Taarabt to start making the most out of his "great ability".

The 22-year-old was one of the Hoops' star players in last season's Championship and was tipped to shine in the Premier League.

However, Taarabt has failed to live up to his billing this campaign and often found himself making the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The Morocco international was left out of last week's match at Norwich, but Warnock hinted he could feature against West Brom tomorrow.

"It would be easy to toss him to one side, but I have a lot of time for him and he is a lovely lad," Warnock said.

"Like quite a lot of professionals in the game, especially those from abroad, they get a lot of people around them or what I call 'advisors'.

"As I said to Adel, if you finish in football next week you might find you lose one or two of those 'advisors'.

"But that is life, that is growing up and he is honest for a young lad.

"It is hard for him when people put a lot of things in his mind.

"I have said to him that whatever happens, whether he stays here, goes in January, goes at the end of the season, that he has to work and train for Adel Taarabt, not these people.

"They won't make him better and I think it is a shame.

"Adel can always [make money] but he is better than that. I will be sad if he ends up going to make some money because I think he has great ability.

"He didn't travel last week and trained on his day off last week and trained Saturday morning while we were at Norwich.

"He has looked sharper this week, a lot better, so hopefully he will be involved."

Taarabt was replaced as QPR skipper this season by Joey Barton, who made comments this week about the hierarchy at former club Newcastle.

The 29-year-old spoke out against the regime of owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias, alleging he and other big-name players had been forced out of the Tyneside club after refusing to agree to a bonus proposal.

A war of words then ensued but that has seemed to calm, with Barton tweeting this morning: "Had dinner with a few wise men last night.

"They suggested I try to see the good in everybody.

"I've taken that on board and today I see certain people in a different light regardless of our past differences, let's move on life's too short.

"I concur. I love you all, have a good day."

When Warnock was asked whether he was one of the "wise men" mentioned, he said: "No comment on that, but hopefully Joey sticks to the words he put on this morning."

Barton will return to the QPR starting line-up against West Brom after completing a one-match ban, although Shaun Wright-Phillips is a doubt.

There were fears that the former Manchester City winger had broken his foot last week at Norwich and, while manager Neil Warnock has confirmed there is not a break, Wright-Phillips could miss the Loftus Road encounter.

"Shaun is training this morning," Warnock said. "There wasn't anything in the scan so we are optimistic if everything goes all right today.

"He came off on crutches and we had to wait until the results of the scan, but it showed there was no fracture or anything.

"We had been a little bit concerned but we're hoping he will train today so I am optimistic."

PA