MICK JONES is confident that Jamie Mackie will be able to fully recover from the double leg break he suffered at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Mackie, whose fine form this season has led to his first Scotland caps, broke both his tibia and fibula in an accidental clash with Gael Givet in the 31st minute of Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash at Ewood Park.
“It’s an absolute disaster for the club, but more so for Mackie”, Rangers’ assistant manager said.
“We were talking about resting him but he insisted that a rest would do him more harm than good.”
Blackburn forward El Hadji Diouf caused controversy when he appeared to abuse Mackie as the R’s front-man lay on the turf following the clash with Givet. However, Jones was quick to praise Blackburn for the way Mackie was treated once he had been stretchered off the pitch.
“Blackburn Rovers were absolutely magnificent from start to finish. Their health and safety and medical teams were unbelievably good. They got him in an ambulance straight away and ensured tests were carried out on his leg as soon as he got to the hospital.”
Jones is remaining confident that the ex-Plymouth forward, who has scored nine league goals this season, will fully recover from his injury.
“Although both bones are broken, they’re not completely broken. They’re not compound breaks.
“There’ll be a lot of rehab for him, but rehab for Mackie is like water off a duck’s back. He’s so fit. And more than anything, his mental attitude is fantastic. In my 40 years involved in the game, I’ve never met a more driven footballer than Jamie.”
Mackie’s injury, coupled with Tottenham Hotspur recalling promising full-back Kyle Walker, has left an already small squad looking increasingly depleted. Jones, though, insists the club won’t panic in the current January transfer window.
“People start worrying when the window opens. They think you only have a month to get everyone in, but after the window shuts, the loan window opens a week later. I can’t see us spending a lot of money because I don’t believe we need to.
“We’re looking at bringing in three players, and it’s very possible that they will all be loans. It can be dangerous to bring too many players in during the January window because you risk destroying what you’ve currently got.”
QPR’s assistant is also confident that the club can keep hold of in-form Adel Taarabt in the transfer window.
The Moroccan international, with 12 goals and ten assists to his name this season, has been attracting interest from several Premier League clubs following a series of impressive performances.
“Adel is very happy here. He’s enjoying his football and is captain. He sulks now and then, but all it takes is Neil to say “I won’t tolerate behaviour like that. You’re my captain”, and he snaps out of it within seconds.
“He knows he’s got a manager who totally believes in him. He and Neil have a great relationship and I believe Adel really trusts Neil. During all my years in football, I’ve never seen a talent like him.”
