Traore expects Assou-Ekotto to stay at QPR

Armand Traore believes QPR will keep hold of Benoit Assou-Ekotto, meaning the former Arsenal man’s best chance of a run in the team could be on the left of midfield.

Rangers will have a void to fill at left-back should Tottenham take up the option of recalling Assou-Ekotto from his season-long loan at Loftus Road.

But Tim Sherwood has given them permission to select the Cameroon international in the FA Cup – an indication that the recently-appointed Spurs boss is not planning to take him back to White Hart Lane.

And Traore, recently praised by QPR manager Harry Redknapp for his attitude, does not expect Assou-Ekotto to make an early return to north London.

He said: “I don’t think Benni is going back to Spurs this month.

“Harry doesn’t like to change the back four, and Benni is playing well, so there are not so many opportunities to play at left-back.

“I think Harry has always liked me playing left midfield because I played there for him at Portsmouth.

“Obviously it is very different to left-back as you get to go forward a lot more. I’m  very attacking-minded as a player so I like playing left midfield of course, but I’ll play wherever the manager wants me.”

Traore also feels he may now be able to overcome his persistent injury problems.

The 24-year-old struggled to complete matches last season and has been out of favour this term, making only nine first-team appearances.

But he said: “I’m getting on top of that after someone in France told me where I was weak and the QPR physios also helped me. But I haven’t been playing that much so I don’t know how much I’ve improved.

“I now do a lot of core work. I have strong thighs, so I need to work on my glutes so there is a balance.”

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