Redknapp says that the Moroccan is ‘three stone overweight’ and nowhere near ready for first team action.
Speaking after QPR’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Loftus Road, Redknapp told a news conference that he could run more than Taarabt had managed in a reserve outing last week.
“He isn’t fit. He played in a reserve game the other day and I could run more than he did,” Redknapp revealed.
“I can’t protect players who don’t want to run about, who can’t train or are three stone overweight, getting 70 or 80 thousand pounds a week.”
Redknapp had told Taarabt – who spent time on loan at AC Milan last season – that he was free to leave QPR last summer but nobody came in with the asking price of £4.5m.
The former Tottenham manager denied that he was worried about losing his job in the wake of the defeat, insisting nobody could do a better job than him.
“I couldn’t give a monkey’s about speculation. I don’t read the papers. All I can do is do my best,” he said.
“There isn’t anyone who could do better here than me. I’ve heard a few names mentioned but they wouldn’t do better.”
