Midfield woes have affected Rio – Redknapp

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Harry Redknapp says QPR’s injuries in midfield have caused problems for Rio Ferdinand.

The Rangers boss brought Ferdinand, 35, to Loftus Road during the summer primarily to use his experience alongside the likes of Steven Caulker and behind a compact midfield.

Instead the team have been frequently cut open and an exposed Ferdinand has come in for some criticism.

But Redknapp said: “I don’t think it’s fair. I think we’ve been a little bit open and teams have got at our back four very easily.

“We need to tighten up, but it’s been difficult because I brought some midfielders into the club and they’ve never been fit to play – I’ve never got them on the pitch at one time.

“Sandro’s come in and been injured, Jordon Mutch has been injured, so has Joey Barton. So it’s been difficult to get a real settled group in there, but I’ve got no problem with Rio whatsoever.”

Barton and Mutch have both been nursing hamstring problems and face fitness tests ahead of Sunday’s derby at West Ham.

Sandro, recently back after knee trouble, has been given the all-clear after suffering a knock to the head during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Southampton.

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