Warnock plans to hand Wright-Phillips ‘free’ role in side

Shaun Wright-Phillips will be handed a ‘free’ role in the QPR side for the rest of the season as manager Neil Warnock looks to add some unpredictability to his attacking options.

Wright-Phillips, who signed a four-year deal with the Rs on transfer deadline day, played primarily on the right and left wings in his spells at Manchester City and Chelsea.

But Warnock has revealed he also plans to employ the 29-year-old behind the striker in QPR’s 4-2-3-1 formation, a position which Adel Taarabt made his own last season.

The move adds weight to Warnock’s earlier assertion that Taarabt’s place in the side is far from guaranteed, with the temperamental Moroccan having to earn his place after beginning the campaign with doubts over his fitness and some indifferent displays.

And with Tommy Smith and fellow new recruit DJ Campbell also all able to operate across the Rangers front-line, Warnock now has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal.

“I think Shaun can play all over midfield really, within the system, so he’ll have a free role in the side,” Warnock told London24.com.

“He can play on the right, the left, a little bit like Tommy Smith does, and also in the hole behind the striker. Adel Taarabt as well; he played on the left against Wigan and I thought he did well. It gives us options, which is crucial.

“I’ve told Shaun just to enjoy his football, he needs to be playing regularly and hopefully he will be.”

Follow Ian Cooper on Twitter @QPRTimes