• Premier League

Taarabt omission boosts QPR

ESPN staff
December 26, 2012
Adel Taarabt has been left out of Morocco's African Cup of Nations squad © Getty Images
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Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has been boosted by the news that he will not lose playmaker Adel Taarabt to the African Nations Cup.

Taarabt had expressed his desire to represent Morocco at the tournament, which begins in South Africa on January 19.

However, the 23-year-old has not been named on Morocco's 24-man list - although Aston Villa's Karim El Ahmadi and Liverpool's Oussama Assaidi have been included.

It will come as welcome news to Redknapp as his side remain entrenched in a relegation battle - Taarabt scored both goals as the Rs claimed their first win of the season against Fulham 11 days ago.

Last week Taarabt said he was hoping to catch Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi's eye, saying: "I hope to be at the African Nations Cup but even if I'm not there, and that would be painful, I will be the biggest Morocco supporter."

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