Mauro Zarate: "I need to play"

Mauro Zarate has revealed that a desire to play regular football was the major factor behind his decision to join Queens Park Rangers on loan.

The striker arrived at West Ham United during the summer from Velez Sarsfield, but since then he has made just eight appearances in all competitions.

"I am happy [and] I need to play. Queen Park Rangers give me the chance to show what I can do," he told the club's official website.

"It's very difficult when you don't play, last year I played every game in Argentina, coming to West Ham and not playing was bad for me so I decided to come to QPR to play. I want to score some goals."

Zarate, who has represented Argentina at youth level, has scored two goals for the Hammers.