Queens Park Rangers assistant manager Mick Jones has revealed that Adel Taarabt has been “fantastic” after being stripped of the captaincy in favour of Joey Barton.

The Morocco international was forced to step down as captain after QPR boss Neil Warnock handed the armband to new signing Joey Barton.
Despite the decision, Jones believes that the 22-year-old striker has reacted professionally.

"Neil told me Adel accepted Joey had to be the captain,” Jones wrote on QPR's official website. “And what's happened to Adel is that he has looked around the training ground and seen how people like Joey train.

"And I have heard Joey at training sessions say to Adel, 'If you want to sulk do it while you're running back. Don't do it walking. And if I ask you to do something, do it'.

"Adel's reaction has been fantastic. Not many people could get that sort of reaction."

Meanwhile, the newly-promoted Premier League side will take on Aston Villa at home this Sunday.