Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has told Samba Diakite he will have to fight for his place in his starting eleven, report Sky Sports.

Diakite has not made an appearance for QPR since they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Loftus Road in December.

Having performed well throughout January’s Africa Cup of Nations, playing a key role in Mali’s impressive campaign which saw them finish third, the 24-year-old was hopeful of regaining his place in Redknapp’s first team.

Busy

However, a busy January transfer window opened the door to plenty of new faces at Loftus Road including a loan swoop for Tottenham’s Jermaine Jenas, adding to QPR’s already competitive central midfield options.

Jenas’ introduction has had a positive impact on Redknapp’s side who are now showing signs of improvement and suggesting that they may just be able to keep their heads above water if they can keep up their recent good form.

With the likes of Esteban Granero, Stephane Mbia and Ji-Sung Park also competing for a spot in the middle of the park, Diakite faces a real battle to regain his place.

Dilemma

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager will enjoy facing this dilemma and expects Diakite to raise his game if he is to be picked for this weekend’s crunch game away to Aston Villa.

Redknapp said: “His form dipped a little bit before he went away. The Liverpool game was a disappointment.

“And now there’s Jermaine Jenas, there’s Park, there’s Granero and Mbia – we’ve got a group of them central midfielders.

“But Samba’s a good lad, and I like him and he’s training well. I guess he could be in the team anytime.”