Round-up: Taarabt plays, Ramires’ ‘very important’ return, Odegaard linked

Adel Taarabt has been in action for the first time since his extraordinary public fall-out with QPR boss Harry Redknapp.

The Moroccan played the entire 90 minutes for Rangers’ development side as they beat Ipswich 3-0.

Redknapp has said his team’s display at Chelsea on Saturday has given him encouragement ahead of this weekend’s visit of Manchester City.

He has also declared that Charlie Austin has answered those who wondered whether the R’s striker could score goals in the top flight.

Chelsea are hopeful that John Mikel Obi will recover from a knee problem in time to rejoin the squad for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Maribor.

Boss Jose Mourinho has warned his players there will be no room for complacency when they face the Slovenian side and has described Ramires’ return to fitness as “very important” for the club.

Following Mourinho’s criticism of Chelsea fans after the QPR game, Blues supporter and author James Clarke says there are several reasons for the lack of atmosphere at Stamford Bridge for some matches.

As for transfer speculation, Chelsea are among the English clubs interested in 15-year-old Norwegian Martin Odegaard, the Daily Star claim.

Meanwhile, Fulham’s Under-21 side were beaten 4-0 at Sunderland, while Whites defender Jack Grimmer has had his loan spell at Shrewsbury extended until January.

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