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Premier League
Nov 1, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
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2-1

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FT(HT: 1-0)
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Live Coverage: Harry Redknapp's weekly Queens Park Rangers press conference

Sports Mole brings you live coverage of Harry Redknapp's press conference ahead of Queens Park Rangers' match against Chelsea this weekend.
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Harry Redknapp has revealed that Adel Taarabt could be in Queens Park Rangers' squad for their Premier League match against Chelsea this weekend.

The manager recently described the midfielder as three stone overweight, but insists that he has been working hard in training since.

He also confirmed that Jordan Mutch and Joey Barton remain sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Read what else the manager discussed below:


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Good morning! QPR manager Harry Redknapp is preparing to speak with the media ahead of this weekend's trip to Chelsea, where his side will be hoping to build on their 2-0 win over Aston Villa earlier this week. It will be an uphill task though, as no-one has beaten Jose Mourinho's side in the league so far this campaign.

QPR will be without defender Rio Ferdinand for the match. The former England international was handed a three-match ban for sending an offensive tweet earlier this week.

Following Monday's win, goalkeeper Rob Green told the club's website: "Hopefully it will stand us in good stead going forward. For everyone involved with the club it's been a tough few weeks. I'm pleased for all the QPR fans who were in the stadium on Monday night and those who were watching on TV because it gave them something to enjoy."

Redknapp is likely to face yet more questions about Adel Taarabt today. The manager previously said that the Morroco midfielder is not playing because he is three-stone overweight, but insisted last week that they had put their fall-out behind them. However, it was suggested that Taarabt skipped a reserves match earlier this week despite not carrying an injury.

After this match, QPR will host the Premier League champions Manchester City before the international break. After the week off though, Redknapp will be optimistic of picking up some points, with games against Newcastle, Leicester and Burnley coming up in the next month or so.

From an hour before kickoff, Sports Mole will have live build up and team news for this match, as well as a half-time update, full-time report, match analysis, player ratings and much more on Saturday afternoon.

If you want to hear from the home manager, Jose Mourinho will be talking to the media tomorrow lunchtime, and we'll have live coverage from that press conference too.

Well it looks like Redknapp is running a little late this morning. The club have been struggling with a number of injuries in recent weeks, so it could be that he's getting some last-minute updates on his squad's fitness. Joey Barton and Jordan Mutch have both been carrying hamstring injuries, but the team did welcome back Rob Green last week, after the goalkeeper missed a match earlier this month with tonsillitis.

In fact, here is the manager, so let's see what he has to say...

Redknapp starts with on update on the injuries, telling reporters: "The same lads are still injured as things stand, it's the same group as last week."

Looking back at the win from earlier this week, Redknapp praises the defensive efforts of Sandro, saying: "It was vital to get 90 minutes from Sandro, the tackle from when when Rob [Green] made his double save was great."

Redknapp is asked about the incident involving Ferdinand on Twitter. The manager has previously admitted that he's not that up on social media, and he responds: "We've not seen the written evidence from the FA on the Ferdinand charge so I can't comment on it. I don't know too much about it and can't comment on it. We'll talk about it once we've seen the written evidence."

Redknapp gives more details on some of the injuries affecting his squad. He reveals that Jordan Mutch and Joey Barton should both be back in training in the next week, and that they could play a part against Man City before the international break.

Sticking with the injured players, Redknapp adds: "We're not overloaded at the back, Nedum has a hamstring but Clint is working his way back to full fitness."

Redknapp admits that his side will need to be at their best to stand a chance of taking anything from their trip to Stamford Bridge: "We pulled off a shock last time, let's hope we can pull off another this weekend. We'll need a top performance, they're the best team in the country, the team to beat this season for sure, but we'll give it a go."

The manager is asked whether Shaun Wright-Phillips could feature at some point. He says: 'He is here, he's had one or two opportunities to go out on loan which he hasn't fancied. He's working hard."

Speaking of players that have not featured much this season, the subject of Adel Taarabt is raised. Redknapp reveals: "I had a great chat with Adel. He wants to get fit and get back in the team. He worked very hard in training this week. Adel's admitted h needs to get fitter and work harder and he's told me that he's going to do that. That's all I want. Adel will be training with us again this morning and as soon as he's fit I'm sure he'll be a valuable player for us."

Asked whether Taarabt could be in the squad this weekend, Redknapp says: "Adel might be involved this weekend. I wouldn't hesitate to put him in the squad. I was happy with the chat we had. Let's wait and see who's available, but Adel's the kind of player who could change the game for us, so let's see."

Back on the subject of Twitter, Redknapp reiterates that he is not an expert on social media: "As far as I see it a personal thing rather than something that should affect a club. I don't know what Twitter is, I don't want to know to honest. It doesn't interest me one little bit. If I understood it I might be able to talk about it."

That's all from Redknapp this week, so join us again on Saturday to find out whether his side can make it back-to-back wins and end Chelsea's unbeaten run. Until then, thanks for joining me this morning. Goodbye.

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Harry Redknapp, manager of QPR looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014
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