Hughes backs talented Taarabt

QPR manager Mark Hughes has denied his relationship with Adel Taarabt has deteriorated, praising the midfielder’s performance against West Ham.

The 23-year-old got on the scoresheet for QPR in only his second Premier League appearance of the season on Monday.

And, though Hughes admitted the Moroccan’s attitude has been a cause of concern in the past, he insisted Taarabt remains a key part of the first-team squad.

Hughes told reporters: “Adel is a talented young man and that talent is recognised here, we support him but he is a young player and sometimes he makes the wrong decisions.

“There are always consequences when you do that but he is in a good place now and we are pleased with what he is producing and as a consequence we will reap the benefit on the pitch.

“Professional football is a way of life and you have to commit to that and it is fair to say that in the past Adel hasn’t made the correct decisions about what he should be doing.

“But I’m very happy with what he is doing at the moment. He is training correctly, training well and having an impact.

“Obviously he has been injured in recent weeks so that is why I haven’t been able to play him but he is back now and certainly in my thoughts for the weekend.”

The Welshman went on to hail the former Tottenham playmaker’s goalscoring contribution during the 2-1 defeat to Sam Allardyce’s side.

“We were very pleased with what Adel produced the other night, I think he came on with a real purposeful attitude to what needed to be done at that point,” he said.

“He came on and made an immediate impact and was ready to perform, which is what we want from all of our players.

“He is just a young player, he is still learning the game and still understanding what it takes to be a top professional but he will get there because he has got good people around him and we will support him and make sure he gets to the level that his talent deserves.”