QPR midfielder Samaba Diakite eager to repay fans following tough start

Diakite, 23, made his move permanent to Loftus Road in the summer transfer window from French club Nancy, but has since failed to produce his best.

The Mali international joined on loan for the latter half of last season but has seen this current campaign disrupted after he returned home due to personal reasons, and he is quick to acknowledge the support he received from everybody involved at QPR.

Now back in London full-time, he is raring to repay the faith shown by the supporters as he looks to fire his team off the foot of the table.

"It was a difficult start for me this season. I was quite ill, so it was quite difficult for me," he told the club's official website.

"Thanks to the support of the fans, the staff, the manager and the rest of the players I came through that tough time and I feel much better now."

The arrival of Harry Redknapp at the London club has seen optimism levels rise, and Diakite believes the team is good eno ugh to stay in the division thanks to the experienced manager.

"We've got a very good manager here. A good coach who knows all about the Premier League," he said.

"We are together as a team and all that matters now is that we get results and get out of this position we are in.

"Harry is a big manager, a big coach. He has great qualities and knows how to interact with players.

"He has the drive that players love. The players are working hard for him. We are adapting to his methods and we feel we will get wins soon."

Meanwhile, QPR have cancelled their Christmas party due to their lowly position in the Barclays Premier League table.

It is understood the decision to shelve plans for the traditional end-of-year party was made by the players.