QPR's Adel Taarabt tells Redknapp he wants to play for Morocco in January's Africa Cup of Nations

Adel Taarabt: Scored both QPR goals against Fulham but could be set for an Africa Cup of Nations absence in January

QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt has confirmed he wants to play for Morocco at January's Africa Cup of Nations.

The news comes as a blow to QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who confirmed last week that he had asked Taarabt to miss the tournament to aid the club in their Premier League relegation struggle.

The tournament runs from 19 January to 2 February in South Africa and the Moroccan playmaker hopes to earn a recall after falling out of favour with the national team.

Taarabt told lequipe.fr: "I will do everything I can to prove to him (Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi) that I deserve to be there.

On Redknapp's request, Taarabt said: "He came to see me to ask me not to go but I told him, 'If they call me, I can't refuse, boss. I love my country, I love the Moroccan people and football means a lot to them'. I warned him that the only solution was that the coach doesn't call me up."

The 23-year-old has excelled since Redknapp took charge at Loftus Road in November, and scored twice as QPR beat Fulham at the weekend in their first Premier League win of the season.

Since, Taarabt has once again been linked with a number of clubs, but he has made it clear he is committed to the Hoops: "I see all the clubs linked with my name but I've just signed for four years at QPR.

"The chairman has said he wouldn't sell me. I don't know what would happen if someone offered £20 million, but I love the club and the fans, and they love me too."