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Live Coverage: Harry Redknapp's weekly Queens Park Rangers press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp's pre-match press conference.
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Harry Redknapp has said that his Queens Park Rangers side has been preparing well for their match against Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend.

The team are yet to pick up a point away from home this season, having lost all five of their matches away from home so far this campaign.

The side have a number of players returning from injury and international duty ahead of the trip to St James's Park.

Read what else the manager discussed below:


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Good morning! Harry Redknapp will be talking to the media in around 15 minutes ahead of their trip to St James' Park this weekend.

The Hoops are yet to pick up a point away from home in the Premier League this season, losing all five of their games away from Loftus Road so far. QPR have two wins and two draws from their home matches though.

Sandro, Joey Barton and Jordan Mutch were all struggling with injuries prior to the international break, although Barton did return from his hamstring problem in the final match before the break.

QPR actually caused something of an upset in their last outing, holding champions Manchester City to a 2-2 draw, although Charlie Austin did have two goals disallowed in that outing.

Now would be a good time with Redknapp's side to find some form, as they face a number of the sides around them in the bottom half of the table in the coming weeks. Before Christmas, Newcastle and Swansea are the only sides in the top half of the table that QPR will face, with games against Leicester City, Burnley, Everton and West Brom all coming up.

Don't forget, we'll have live coverage from this, and every other Premier League match taking place this weekend, from an hour before kickoff, as well as team news, half time and full time reports, match reaction, player ratings and much more, so make sure you're with us an Saturday to find out if QPR can secure their first away win of the season.

Incidentally, there will be plenty of birthday cake at Loftus Road today, as summer signing Eduardo Vargas is celebrating his 25th birthday, while midfielder Michael Doughty turns 22 today.

Sandro has been speaking to the club's website ahead of this match, saying: "We are a different team now. The way we plan now, everyone understands what their teammate wants. It's very nice to play this way. We are all together. It has taken some time to understand, but now we fell so comfortable on the pitch. When we played Manchester City, I thought we were on top of them and deserved to win."

The club's chairman Tony Fernandes has suggested that they may be looking to move on from Loftus Road in the near future, as QPR currently have the smallest-capacity ground in the top flight.

Slightly later than expected, Redknapp has just arrived ready for his press conference, so let's see what the manager has to say...

So Redknapp starts by discussing the fitness of his squad. He tells reporters: "We're been training well, we've no problems. Yun and Fer are Ok after international duty, but we're waiting for the Chileans to return."

However, the manager admits that Adel Taarabt, who he described as three -stone overweight earlier this season, is not yet ready to play: "Adel Taarabt is still not fit. He has a groin strain. He may come out this morning and work with the fitness coach. Alejandro Faurlin is on the long road to recovery still. He's a determined boy and I'm sure he will be back playing."

Although the team have not picked up too many points this season, Redknapp insists that he is happy with his players' performances in recent weeks: "We've had four good performances in a row now which is good. It's taken a bit of time but I'm happy with the way we are playing and we keep improving."

Redknapp's opposite number for this weekend, Alan Pardew, has come under pressure at the start of the season before turning the side's form around. Redknapp says: "Alan Pardew has come in for some stick but I fell he's doing a really good job. I'm pleased for him but hopefully we can go up there and get a result."

Charlie Austin has been in strong form recently, proving a threat against Manchester City last time out, leading to speculation that he could be on the verge of an England call-up. The manager tells reporters: "Charlie's played a handful of games now in the Premier League, but he's got to keep performing and scoring goals. We'd all love to see him in the England squad."

Continuing on Austin, Redknapp adds: "If Charlie ends up being as good as Les Ferdinand, then we'll have one of the greatest strikers in England football. I see a real spring in his step now he has scored against some of the top sides in the Premier League."

Redknapp is asked about Wigan's appointment of Malky Mackay. While the manager admits that Mackay has made mistakes, he insists that he is a "decent man": "He's made a big mistake. You can't do what he's done. But he's working under a good man in Dave Whelan and I think he's a decent person. I'm not condoning what he's done, but he's got a second chance. Whenever I've met Malky I've found him to be a decent man and a good football manager."

Well that's all from Redknapp this week, but don't forget to join us again on Saturday afternoon to find out if QPR can get the win. 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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